Industry News Victoria Barker 30/05/2024

Landlords invited to share feedback on Rent Smart Wales

Landlords and property agents in Wales are invited to share their views on the impact of Rent Smart Wales in a new survey.

The Welsh Government has launched an evaluation aimed at assessing the impact of the licensing body in several key areas, including business practices and tenant relations, compliance and communication.

Since 2016, private landlords with rental properties in Wales have been required to be registered with Rent Smart Wales (RSW).

Landlords who undertake any management duties for any of those properties must also be licensed with RSW, as must all letting agents, with penalties high for non-compliance.

The NRLA has been campaigning for some time for a review of Rent Smart Wales following the last one, conducted in 2018, which raised concerns that a lack of resources could hinder proactive enforcement of regulations.

Research conducted by the NRLA in 2021 suggested that the lack of a regular evaluation of RSW risked hampering improvements in the regime and proposed an annual report into the body’s performance to ensure strategic and operational effectiveness.

NRLA Wales Operations Manager Steve Bletsoe welcomed the newly launched review, when giving evidence to the Senedd's Local Government and Housing Committee in March.

Complete the survey

Landlords in Wales have until the 12th of June to complete the online survey. Click here to share your views.