Further to quotes from the Minister in media reports, what specific evidence from the Wallich charity does the Minister refute regarding their assertion that the Welsh Government's Renting Homes Act is contributing to a rise in homelessness in Wales?
The Wallich made reference to “anecdotal evidence” that people are being made homelessness as landlords leave the sector and are evicting tenants due to the Renting Homes Act legislation being introduced on 1st December 2022.
Data from Rent Smart Wales comparing the number of registered properties in Wales in September 2022 compared to September 2023 shows an increase of 4,587 properties.
Over this same period Rent Smart Wales data also shows that the number of registered landlords has also increased by 1,864, and now stand at 102,138.
In their evidence to the Local Government and Housing Committee’s inquiry into the Private Rented sector the Wallich state that “properties are typically rented out at way above Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates, meaning that they are simply unaffordable for people on low incomes or in receipt of basic housing benefits”.
The Wallich also states that they “are fully supportive of the aims of the Renting Homes Act, as it represents a major rebalancing of rights and responsibilities in favour of tenants. The extension of security of tenure to up to six months for a no-fault eviction notice, and new requirements to make properties fit for human habitation, are essential safeguards, and something that all good landlords should welcome”.