A newly published report by the Welsh Senedd’s Local Government and Housing Committee has recommended a sweeping set of measures to support tenants in Wales’ private rental sector, including a proposed two-month rent-free period for renters facing no-fault evictions.
The report suggests that tenants displaced through no fault of their own could retain their final two months’ rent as financial compensation, which advocates say could reduce homelessness and alleviate the financial and emotional strain of forced relocations. The Committee advised that the Welsh Government publish a detailed assessment by April 2025 on whether this policy is feasible.
“Compensation for tenants could help prevent homelessness and reduce costs for local authorities associated with emergency deposits and advance rent payments,” the report noted.
Demand for Property MOTs and Pet-Friendly Homes
Other recommendations include implementing a “property MOT” in collaboration with Rent Smart Wales. This would involve a formal inspection to ensure rented homes meet basic living standards. Cabinet Secretary Jayne Bryant expressed openness to the idea, suggesting it could complement existing “self-certifying” standards that landlords must meet. “Rent Smart Wales training for landlords partially addresses this need, but independent checks could further enhance housing quality,” Bryant said.
The report also advocated for increasing pet-friendly rental options, a pressing issue highlighted by animal charities. Dogs Trust reported a 31% rise in cases where accommodation limitations forced Welsh pet owners to give up their animals. Claire Calder, head of public affairs at Dogs Trust, underscored the human and animal welfare impacts: “We receive hundreds of calls each week from pet owners unable to secure pet-friendly housing, forcing many to surrender their animals.”
NRLA Pushes Back Against Rent Controls, Emphasizes Supply Crisis
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) welcomed some of the Committee’s recommendations but raised concerns about rent regulation, arguing that rent controls could lead landlords to exit the market, further limiting the housing supply. “Any form of rent regulation would have unintended consequences,” warned the NRLA, citing an internal survey showing that between 22% and 38% of landlords in England and Wales might reduce their holdings or exit the market entirely if rent caps were imposed.
Ben Beadle, NRLA chief executive, acknowledged the broader aims of the report but urged the Welsh Government to address what he termed a “supply crisis” in the rental market. “While we support many recommendations, a strategy to stabilize and grow the rental housing supply is essential to support both tenants and landlords,” Beadle stated.
The Welsh Government has yet to announce a formal response to the report, though it has indicated plans to consider the Committee’s recommendations in crafting future rental sector policies.