Wales Report Urges More Rights for Renters

The Welsh report calls for increased rights for private renters as the Senedd’s Local Government and Housing Committee endorses calls for the Welsh Government to extend tenant protections. With 13 recommendations set to shape the future of housing in the country, significant changes could soon be on the horizon for private renters in Wales.

The committee’s report highlighted the need to address the lack of pet-friendly housing in Wales and urged the Welsh Government to ease the pressure on tenants facing no-fault evictions. One of the proposed solutions involves landlords providing the last two months’ rent of a tenancy as compensation for tenants facing eviction.

While the Welsh Government has expressed concerns that outright banning no-fault evictions could violate human rights laws, the committee emphasised the importance of protecting tenants. By April 2025, the Welsh Government is expected to provide reasoning on the feasibility of implementing the two-month rent compensation for evicted tenants.

As laws banning no-fault evictions progress through the House of Commons, the committee emphasised the need for the Welsh Government to monitor the situation in England to ensure that tenants in Wales are not put in a disadvantageous position.

In addition, the report highlighted widespread discrimination against individuals on benefits by landlords, as well as the challenges faced by individuals seeking acceptable guarantors, such as those leaving care or refugees. The committee called for regulatory measures to eliminate financial and bureaucratic barriers faced by tenants.

The inquiry also shed light on discrimination against potential tenants with pets. Landlords’ concerns about potential property damage have led to discrimination against pet owners, despite polling data showing that most landlords who allow pets reported no issues at the end of a tenancy.

Evidence presented to the committee suggested that landlords could benefit financially by renting to pet owners, as they are likely to stay in a property for a longer duration. By reducing discrimination against pet owners, individuals would no longer have to choose between giving up their pets or accepting accommodation.

Chair of the Local Government and Housing Committee, John Griffiths, emphasised the importance of addressing barriers that prevent individuals from finding stable homes. Despite existing rules on no-fault evictions, many people still live with the fear of eviction, highlighting the need for a rental sector that works for both tenants and landlords.

A Welsh Government spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring decent, affordable, and safe housing for all residents. The upcoming White Paper on Adequate Housing, Fair Rents, and Affordability aims to address the report’s findings and recommendations to improve housing accessibility in Wales.

Overall, the report’s recommendations aim to create a more inclusive and welcoming housing market in Wales, where tenants have adequate protections, and barriers to housing, such as discrimination against pet owners, are eliminated. By implementing these changes, Wales can move towards a more equitable and accessible rental sector for all residents.