A new law for Landlords and Lettings Agents in Wales

From the 23 November new obligations on landlords and agents in Wales will be introduced. If your clients own or manage residential property in Wales, occupied by someone other than themselves in return for a rent, this new law will apply.

Landlords who need to register, and landlords and agents who need to become licensed, will have 12 months from 23 November in which to comply with the new law which is aimed at achieving:

• 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.

With the introduction of this new legislation, landlords and agents must comply and 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
• If a landlord instructs an agent to manage the property, 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.

From 23 November 2016, enforcement powers -such as fixed penalty notices and prosecutions- will be introduced and landlords and agents found to be ignoring their new obligations will have action taken against them by local authorities and the licensing authority.
The new law will replace the existing voluntary Landlord Accreditation Wales scheme.