Welsh landlords face new rent data reporting rules

A new proposal could compel landlords in Wales to submit detailed rent information to Rent Smart Wales (RSW), as part of an effort to enhance transparency in the private rented sector.

The recommendation has emerged from the Welsh government’s final evaluation of RSW, the licensing and registration authority tasked with elevating housing standards.

The evaluation report proposes expanding RSW’s data collection to include rent levels which aligns with the Welsh government’s White Paper on Fair Rent and Adequate Housing.

It also proposes a broader public register, incorporating compliance records, past tenant complaints and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings.

Landlords will also have to detail housing conditions like gas and electrical safety, and audit ratings for commercial agents.

The report also suggests improving RSW’s statistical dashboards to provide local authorities with better tools to track compliance trends and enforce regulations proactively.

However, the NRLA was also critical about RSW’s ‘abrasive’ style of communicating and a need for ‘consistent enforcement activities’.

NRLA highlights data collection issues

However, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has expressed its reservations about collecting rent data, citing a lack of clarity on its purpose and application.

Its chief executive, Ben Beadle, said: “A fairly regulated private rented sector in Wales is essential, but any new requirements must be targeted and effective and based on evidence.

“This lengthy report sets out how Rent Smart Wales must deliver on its existing obligations before it can even think about expanding the scope of its work.

“And as the report sets out, it has some way to go.”

He added: “Rent Smart Wales needs to demonstrate it can deliver tangible improvements in standards and provide a service that supports, rather than frustrates, compliance.

“This cannot be achieved through unhelpful communication or by making the process unnecessarily difficult for responsible landlords.”

New rules for tenants facing homelessness

Meanwhile, the Welsh government has also introduced the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill, aiming to overhaul homelessness prevention.

The bill extends the definition of ‘threatened with homelessness’ from 56 days to six months, aligning with notice periods under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act to enable earlier intervention.

It also eliminates the ‘priority need’ and ‘intentionality’ tests, which have historically shaped housing support decisions.

Instead, new safeguards will address deliberate manipulation, such as refusing to pay rent to secure social housing.

It will also allow authorities to end homelessness duties for tenants exhibiting violent behaviour, property damage or repeated disengagement.