Posts with tag: Rent Smart Wales

2/3 of tenants unaware of Rent Smart Wales

Published On: November 24, 2015 at 11:55 am

Tags: landlords,letting agent,national landlords association,Rent Smart Wales

A concerning survey of tenants in Wales suggests that a remarkably high number do not know about the new Rent Smart Wales initiative to register and license all landlords and letting agents within the country.

Data from a report from the National Landlords Association reveals that two-thirds of tenants claim they are unaware of the scheme, which came into force yesterday.

Low

The Rent Smart Wales scheme, mandatory for landlords and agents, requires training, registration and licensing. Both agents and landlords have 12 months in which to comply with the new regulations.

Despite tenants stating that the scheme would make them more confident about the private rental sector and improve the quality of stock, 65% said they were unaware of the initiative.

Without proper resources to enforce the legislation, the NLA warns that the scheme will become ineffective, especially after the first-year introductory period.

2/3 of tenants unaware of Rent Smart Wales

Working together

‘As the licensing authority, Cardiff city council must start working with other local authorities from the outset in order to fine and prosecute those who fail to comply within the year’s grace period,’ said NLA chief executive Richard Lambert. ‘Without proper enforcement the scheme will do nothing to stop criminals in the sector but as yet we’ve seen no detail about how Cardiff plans to do this.’[1]

‘Unless they’re quick off the mark, come next November, there’s a real danger that Rent Smart Wales will amount to little more than just a list of names and it will quickly lose the confidence of tenants who expect it to make a difference,’ he added.[1]

[1] https://www.lettingagenttoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2015/11/who-actually-know-about-rent-smart-wales-not-many-it-seems—

Today’s the Day for Change in the Welsh Private Rental Sector

Published On: November 23, 2015 at 9:55 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Landlord News

Tags: landlord licensing,letting agent fees,letting agents,Rent Smart Wales,Wales

Today’s the Day for Change in the Welsh Private Rental Sector

The day has arrived for landlords and letting agents in Wales to join up to the Rent Smart Wales scheme.

The Welsh private rental sector will experience many changes from today, including the requirement for letting agents to display fees. This was only announced last week, despite being mandatory.

Everyone renting out accommodation in Wales must register themselves and register details of their rental properties from today.

All managing agents and landlords that manage or conduct maintenance on their properties must also apply for a license, pass a fit and proper person test, participate in a training course and adhere to a code of practice as part of Rent Smart Wales.

Landlords that are registered but unlicensed must appoint a licensed agent to manage their properties.

Landlords and agents have one year to comply with the regulations before enforcement begins on 23^rd November 2016.

Although the Rent Smart Wales scheme has been known about for a while, the obligation for letting agents to prominently display their fees in their offices and on their websites could come as a shock. The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) was not aware of the rule until last week.

If you let property in Wales, ensure that you are not caught out by either of these regulations.

Welsh Letting Agents Given Just Days to Comply with New Law

Published On: November 20, 2015 at 12:46 pm

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Property News

Tags: landlord licensing,letting agent fees,letting agents,Rent Smart Wales,Wales

Letting agents in Wales must be aware that from Monday (23^rd November 2015), they must display the fees they charge.

Welsh Letting Agents Given Just Days to Comply with New Law

All agents are under a legal obligation to display their fees. It is believed that many will struggle to comply with the new law, as there has been no prior warning and they are subject to a tight deadline.

The obligation forms part of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which required a ministerial or commencement order to become law in Wales.

The legal requirement for letting agents to display their fees only applies in England at present, after enforcement on 27^th May this year.

The Welsh government made the announcement of the new law with under a week before implementation.

It should also be reiterated that on Monday, landlords and letting agents must register and become licensed as part of the Rent Smart Wales scheme.

Previous communications on the new scheme did not mention the compulsory advertisement of fees or the Consumer Rights Act.

The Managing Director of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), David Cox, advises agents to display a list of all the fees they charge, including any additional fees, charges or penalties.

Fees should be displayed including VAT, and agents must advertise fees at each office and on their website.

ARLA has produced a fees template for its members.

The announcement can be found here: http://i.emlfiles1.com/cmpdoc/6/9/5/5/4/files/334662_consumer-rights-act-2015—duty-of-letting-agents-to-publish-fees—november-2015-2-002.pdf?dm_t=0,0,0,0,0

From Monday, landlords and agents have 12 months to register and become licensed under Rent Smart Wales.

Additionally, the Renting Homes (Wales) Act was passed this week. It introduces two new types of occupational contract, replacing the majority of existing tenancy agreement types. It also requires landlords to make repairs and hopes to offer extra protection for tenants. Landlords must provide their tenants with written statements of their rights.

Just One Week to Rent Smart Wales

Published On: November 16, 2015 at 2:05 pm

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Landlord News

Tags: landlord licensing scheme,landlords in Wales,Rent Smart Wales,Welsh landlords

Just One Week to Rent Smart Wales

It is just one week until the Welsh government launches its Rent Smart Wales scheme.

The new regime will enforce compulsory licensing and registration of all landlords and letting agents in Wales. The Welsh government has released a code of practice to help landlords and agents stick to the law.

All landlords and agents that belong to the scheme must adhere to the requirements of the code or risk losing their license. This means that they would be unable to let or manage any residential properties.

The first part of the code sets out what landlords and agents must do to comply with the law.

The second contains information on what can be done to raise standards above the minimum level required by the new scheme.

Find the code of practice here: http://gov.wales/topics/housing-and-regeneration/housing-supply/renting/privately/landlord-and-agent-registration/rent-smart-code-of-practice/?lang=en

Rent Smart Wales to Launch on 23rd November

Published On: October 26, 2015 at 1:03 pm

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Landlord News

Tags: landlord licensing scheme,landlords in Wales,Rent Smart Wales

Rent Smart Wales to Launch on 23rd November

The Welsh Government’s registration and licensing scheme, Rent Smart Wales, will launch on 23^rd November.

The Welsh Government previously announced that the scheme would begin in the autumn, but the exact date has now been revealed.

Under Part 1 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, landlords must be registered and letting agents must be licensed. Landlords and agents can start applying on 23^rd November and they have 12 months to comply with the new law.

The Welsh Government states that in its first year, Rent Smart Wales will focus on raising awareness of the new requirements and encouraging compliance.

It hopes to improve the private rental sector in the country and benefit those renting privately by tackling any rogue landlords.

Following the launch, the next year will see landlords registering with the scheme, and some may consider licensing themselves, or commissioning a licensed agent to manage their properties. Landlords can choose to do both, meaning that they are licensed to let their homes.

If you have properties in Wales, find out all you need to know here: https://www.rentsmart.gov.wales/en/

Still No Date for Rent Smart Wales, Despite Countdown Starting

Published On: August 24, 2015 at 8:56 am

Author: Em Morley

Categories: Finance News

Tags: landlord licensing scheme,landlords in Wales,Rent Smart Wales,Wales licensing scheme landlords

The Welsh Government has revealed that the countdown has started for Rent Smart Wales to come into force, but no date has yet been set on the scheme’s introduction.

Still No Date for Rent Smart Wales, Despite Countdown Starting

The Welsh Government is launching Rent Smart Wales, a registration and licensing scheme. It aims to improve letting and management standards for private tenants in Wales.

However, a date has not been set on when the scheme will begin.

The new legislation means that anyone who owns and rents out private property in Wales must register with the central licensing authority, through Rent Smart Wales. All managing agents and landlords are also required to obtain a new license.

Once part of the scheme, landlords and agents must keep their information up-to-date and comply will all regulations.

Lesley Griffiths, the minister with responsibility for housing, says: “The new legislation we are introducing will not only improve the situation for tenants – informing them of their rights and responsibilities – it will also help good landlords by improving the sector’s reputation.

“When Rent Smart Wales is introduced this autumn, it will provide a simple way for landlords to register and for them and their agents to become licensed. Ahead of the changes, I encourage landlords and agents to subscribe to register their interest and to receive useful news and updates.”¹

¹https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2015/8/countdown-is-on-for-rent-smart-wales–only-there-is-still-no-date