NRLA urges next Welsh government to prioritise housing

Ahead of the Senedd elections in May, a landlord organisation has launched a manifesto calling on the next Welsh government not to deter investment in the private rented sector.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) says the next Welsh government must promote a better private rented sector across Wales.

The Welsh Labour government has come under scrutiny for introducing Rent Smart Wales, which requires landlords to register and license their properties.

Make housing top priority

According to government data, since the last election more than 1,190 properties have been lost from the Welsh private rented sector.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), said: “Nothing is more important than having a safe, secure place to live, so we are calling on the parties standing in May to make housing their top priority.

“Our manifesto is clear: Wales needs policies designed to build a better and thriving housing environment for all.

“Plans that do not encourage investment, over regulate or exclude the needs of responsible landlords to provide much-needed housing for renters are doomed to fail.”

In its manifesto, the NRLA is calling on the next Welsh government not to make any further changes to the Renting Homes (Wales) Act, warning it will deter investment and deepen the supply crisis.

The organisation is also calling for increasing investment in housing standards, claiming “enforcement is inconsistent and under-resourced and unsafe properties go under the radar.”

They urge the next Welsh government to improve Rent Smart Wales to better support landlords and tenants.

No progress in delivering it

The Welsh government previously announced last year a Welsh housing survey but the NRLA says the government has made no progress in delivering it.

The organisation says: “The next government must better understand housing in Wales and renters’ needs, including the distinct nature of Welsh homes.

“Fuel poverty, energy efficiency, and robust evidence on households’ lived experiences must be central to this work.”