Rent Smart Wales is a new government scheme that aims to raise standards in the private rented sector in Wales with the introduction of a new law requiring the registration and licensing of landlords and agents.
Rent Smart Wales will replace the existing voluntary Landlord Accreditation Wales scheme, which has been operated by Cardiff Council on behalf of all local authorities in Wales.
It is intended that the new legislation will result in:
- improved standards of letting and management practice in the private rented sector
- more information on landlords available for tenant verification and for local authorities to assist with strategic intervention and dissemination of information
- raised awareness by landlords and agents of their respective rights and responsibilities
- in turn, raised awareness by tenants of their respective rights and responsibilities.
What does this mean for you?
From autumn 2015, landlords and agents must become registered and licensed via Rent Smart Wales. This will mean that:
- all private landlords who have a rental property in Wales must register themselves and the addresses of their rental properties in Wales
- landlords who undertake defined letting or property management activities at a rental property in Wales must apply for a licence. If a landlord instructs an agent to do such work on their behalf, it is that agent who must become licensed
- in order to get a licence a person must be adequately trained, and also declare themselves ‘fit and proper’
- licensing training will be offered through Rent Smart Wales or people can choose to attend Rent Smart Wales approved training courses delivered by other bodies.
Earlier this month the Rent Smart Wales brand identity launched, with the introduction of the registration and licensing scheme planned for launch in autumn 2015.
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