Rent Smart Wales has been described as a “cornerstone of housing regulation” as the national landlord and agent licensing scheme marks its 10th anniversary.
A decade on from its introduction under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, the scheme has registered more than 216,000 rental properties and over 102,000 landlords. It has issued more than 50,000 licences and delivered training to more than 200,000 people.
Cardiff Council, the licensing authority for the scheme, says the data collected over the past ten years has significantly improved understanding of the private rented sector both locally and across Wales.
Cllr Lynda Thorne of Cardiff Council, which is the licensing authority for the scheme, said: “Ten years ago, Rent Smart Wales was an ambitious venture. Today, it stands as a cornerstone of housing regulation in Wales and a recent independent evaluation has confirmed its positive impact.
“The scheme has helped thousands of landlords and agents understand their responsibilities, and most importantly, it has improved the lives of tenants.
“I’m very proud of what has been achieved since the scheme was introduced so it’s been great to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to the Rent Smart Wales offices, and have the opportunity to reflect on how far we have come.
“We’re excited about the future too and will continue working with Welsh Government to build on this success to ensure the private rented sector remains fair, safe and well-managed.”
Cabinet secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, commented: “Rent Smart Wales demonstrates how smart regulation can raise standards across an entire sector. The independent evaluation confirms what we’ve seen in practice – higher standards, better-informed landlords, and stronger enforcement against those who break the rules.
“This anniversary marks ten years of effective regulation that has improved renting for all, and I look forward to continue working with Rent Smart Wales to ensure everyone in Wales has access to a safe, well-maintained home.”
Read the orginal article: https://propertyindustryeye.com/rent-smart-wales-stands-as-a-cornerstone-of-housing-regulation-claim/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rent-smart-wales-stands-as-a-cornerstone-of-housing-regulation-claim
