Shelter claims private providers are profiting from temporary accommodation crisis as costs soar
7 months ago | 6 comments
Shelter Cymru demands politicians give stronger renters’ rights
9:02 AM, 25th September 2025, 7 months ago
3
Categories:
Shelter Cymru urges Welsh politicians to end the “imbalance of power between landlords and tenants” and calls for restrictions on landlords increasing rent.
In the run-up to the Senedd elections in May next year, the housing charity is calling on every political party to commit to ending the housing emergency.
Shelter Cymru claims a lack of investment in social homes and a lack of support for people looking to buy their own home has “forced” families and individuals into renting privately.
Lack of legal protections means renters are living in constant uncertainty
Lauren Caley, policy and public affairs manager, said: “Over the last 30 years, the number of people who rent their homes from private landlords in Wales has exploded.
“But too often, private renting isn’t an active choice for people, it’s their only option. To make matters worse, the lack of legal protection means renters are living in constant uncertainty.
“In a housing emergency, the demand for suitable homes outweighs supply. Here in Wales, this has led to an imbalance of power between landlords and tenants.
“In 2026, Wales is likely to be the only country in Great Britain where someone can be evicted through no fault of their own without being given a reason.”
However, the housing charity fails to mention under the Renting Homes Wales Act, landlords can issue a notice to end a periodic standard contract without providing a specific reason, but they must adhere to the correct procedure.
Even with notice, a landlord needs a court order to make a tenant leave, and tenants can sometimes challenge the eviction.
Allow tenants to challenge the quality and condition of their homes
The charity is calling for regulations to restrict landlords from raising rents, including increases for current tenants, and to prevent substantial rent hikes after a tenant leaves.
Shelter Cymru also demands rules to “strengthen renters’ rights,” allowing tenants to challenge the quality and condition of their homes by increasing funding for specialist teams, who could carry out assessments and offer independent legal advice.
Tags:
housing emergency Wales, rent increases, renters rights, Renting Homes Wales Act, Shelter, Tenant Protections, Welsh housing
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
or
Related Articles
Shelter Scotland warns of ‘broken and biased’ housing system amid housing emergency
7 months ago | 4 comments
Shelter warns families living in fear of eviction as new campaign video released
7 months ago | 24 comments
Member Since February 2024 - Comments: 71
12:23 PM, 25th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Thought Shelter etc would turn their attention to Wales, now that they have done with England. They need to qualify their existence and hang on to their jobs!
Yes Wales can still issue a no-fault notice, but they have to give 6 months notice. As we know there almost always a valid reason for eviction and if the appropriate reason is used it can be a much shorter notice period, so I think those grounds are more likely to be used. This could mean that the ‘tenant’ can’t get help from LA.
Shelter Cymru should look at an Occupation Contract drawn up by Rent Smart Wales before they demand rules to strengthen renters rights, it already contains adequate provision for the contract holder (tenant) to challenge quality and condition of their homes under Fit for Human Habitation rules.
There is much more regulation in Wales than England.
The Wales PRS underwent radical change about 3 years ago. I believe any more major changes could result in Landlords leaving the sector.
We have to be registered and licensed with Rent Smart Wales. In order to do this we have to sit an exam, and are required to continue to undertake courses etc then after 5 years re sit exam. Landlords cannot Rent out property without being registered with Rent Smart Wales, and must supply their registration and licence numbers if they wish to evict etc.
We had to issue a “Converted Standard Occupation Contract” to a tenant who was in situ when the change happened. It was a blend of his existing AST and the new RSW Standard Occupation Contract. This document was 47 pages long.
One good thing is that there a specific Form to be used for any variation, which is useful.
Member Since October 2023 - Comments: 201
1:00 PM, 25th September 2025, About 7 months ago
These people are clowns……..an “imbalance of power” ?
I’d like to think there is an imbalance of power, one party has made a massive investment of hundreds of thousands of pounds, and the other……….HASN’T
How about an actual balance of rights?
At the minute, the tenants have all the rights, and the landlords have all the responsibilities.
Member Since March 2019 - Comments: 7
4:13 PM, 25th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Reply to the comment left by David100 at 25/09/2025 – 13:00
100%, came onto this thread to post this exact same comment but you have beaten me to it