NRLA gives evidence at the Senedd

From an evidence session in front of the Senedd to high level meetings with the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Housing, it’s been a busy month for our campaigns team in Wales. Public Affairs Officer Joshua Helm-Cowley explains more.

Concerns over the Welsh Government’s estimates on fire safety assessments were top of the agenda when we gave evidence to the Senedd’s Local Government and Housing Committee earlier this month.

Steve Bletsoe, our Head of Regional Business appeared in front of the committee as part of its examination of the Building Safety (Wales) Bill after we submitted our written evidence last month.

Steve told MSs the Welsh Government’s estimated cost of £62 per property for these assessments is wildly out of step with what you, our members, are paying – and what our own research has shown.

He also outlined our recommendation that a new clause be added to occupation contracts compelling tenants to comply with their fire safety responsibilities, arguing this would ensure action can be taken against tenants who put properties and other tenants at risk. 

PRS policy

The team also met with Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Housing Joel James MS, to discuss our concerns on current policy affecting the PRS in Wales. 

On the agenda were the proposed reforms to minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) and we shared our fears that this policy will disproportionately affect the Welsh PRS which is home to a greater proportion of older buildings which are harder to bring up to standard.

We also raised concerns over the proposed cost cap of up to £15,000 per property. 

The meeting also covered the NRLA’s concerns around the Building Safety (Wales) Bill, the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill as well as general PRS policy in Wales. 

It was a positive meeting, and we would like to thank Joel and his team for taking the time to meet with us and listen to our concerns following his promotion to the Shadow Cabinet Secretary role earlier this year.

Welsh election manifesto 

With the next Senedd election just over six months away policies are now being decided and manifestos drafted, including the NRLA’s manifesto for a thriving Welsh PRS. This will contain our asks of the next Welsh Government to ensure a strong Welsh private rented sector that benefits landlords and tenants. 

While the manifesto is still under development, it will focus on:

• Reversing decline in the PRS
• Providing more choice in tenure for tenants
• Tackling fuel poverty
• Ensuring enforcement of PRS standards is consistent across Wales.

When the manifesto is finalised, we will share this with politicians and other organisations to build a coordinated campaign around some of our key asks of the next Welsh Government. 

 All this work is informed by your feedback, so let us know what you think at [email protected]. 

More information 

• For more information on evidence submitted in response to the Building Safety (Wales) Bill click here. 
• For more information on evidence submitted in response to the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill click here.
• For more information on the Welsh PRS and our campaigning work in Wales, click here.