The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on the White Paper on securing a path towards Adequate Housing, including Fair Rents and Affordability.
This White Paper sets out a range of proposals for how to achieve housing adequacy in Wales, including proposals on fair rents and affordability in the Private Rented Sector.
In the forward, Jayne Bryant MS Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, says: “The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that everyone in Wales can access adequate housing.
SAFE AND AFFORDABLE
“Every person, at every stage of their lives, should be able to obtain a safe, and affordable home that meets their needs.”
She goes on to say: “It is clear that affordability is the golden thread between housing adequacy and our work on fair rents in the Private Rented Sector.
“We are acutely aware of the need to increase affordable housing supply and the importance of the Private Rented Sector in providing a range and choice of accommodation for families and individual households.
“Therefore, in this White Paper we have outlined our long-term approach towards achieving housing adequacy across all tenures in Wales, as well as proposals on short to medium term interventions in the Private Rented Sector.”
BETTER UNDERSTANDING
Tim Thomas, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Propertymark, says: “Propertymark welcomes the direction of the White Paper on securing a path towards Adequate Housing, including Fair Rents and Affordability.
“We have extensively engaged with the Welsh Government and are pleased they have listened to our concerns by not implementing rent controls in Wales.
“We also welcome the acknowledgement that localised data sources must improve to make better evidence-based policy decisions for the Private Rented Sector across Wales.
“This will ensure policy makers have a better understanding of market rents and affordability challenges.
“Fundamentally, we believe that affordability will be achieved by positively stimulating the supply of property via a pro-growth taxation policy. I
“ntegral to the aims of housing adequacy is a professional, well-regulated, and responsive sector, and we will continue to engage with the Welsh Government by demonstrating the professional standards of property agents amongst our membership.”
YOU LISTENED
Ben Beadle, chief executive at the NRLA, says: “It is pleasing to see that the Welsh Government has listened to concerns raised by NRLA on behalf of landlords and agents in Wales.
“Ultimately, we want to see a thriving market which provides the best quality accommodation for tenants desperately in need of homes.
“Introducing rent controls would be a disastrous move, as it would only reduce choice and drive up costs. I am delighted that the government has opted to support supply rather than throw up more barriers to housing provision.
“We look forward to working with the Welsh Government further to help shape their proposals in a way that works for all groups across the private rented sector.”
