The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has slammed the Welsh government’s decision to further extend six-month notice regulations until spring next year, saying it will “cause hardship” for many landlords.
The Welsh government announced an extension of the policy to increase the notice period before which landlords cannot legally evict tenants for rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.
Climate change minister Julie James MS said the regulations are designed to stop people becoming homeless over the Christmas period.
Landlords will have to give six months’ notice for most tenants, or three months if there are allegations of anti-social behaviour against the tenants.
The rules are part of 2020 coronavirus legislation in Wales and will be reviewed again on the 24th of March 2021.
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, commented: “The Welsh government’s decision today to further extend notice periods will come as yet another blow to landlords in the sector.
“It will cause hardship to landlords suffering at the hands of deliberate rent dodgers, as well as those with tenants causing nuisance to neighbours and house mates through anti-social behaviour.”
The Welsh Government say the rules are in place to help stop the spread of coronavirus by reducing homelessness.
Julie James MS said: “The effect will to be to delay evictions meaning that: fewer people will face eviction into homelessness at a time when this might exacerbate the spread of the virus and when local authorities are less able to respond to these situations; those renting their homes will benefit from increased security and reduced anxiety; and individuals at risk of eviction will be provided with increased time to seek support to resolve any problems, including applying to the Tenancy Hardship Grant scheme, which I introduced in July.
“The alteration to the relevant period will come into force on 31 December 2021. The convention that not less than 21 days should elapse between the laying of the Regulations and their coming into force has not been followed in this case.
“This reflects the urgent need to continue to provide greater security of tenure at this time, thus contributing to our ongoing response to the virus.”
Absolute rubbish by the Welsh Government. Has nothing to do with Covid. They have no social housing for the demand, they have people stuffed in Hotels, B&B’s, Holiday Parks because they can’t house them and they don’t want the dreggs they pushed into the PRS coming back to them.
They are also not making it obviously clear that come spring 2022 they intend to introduce the new Welsh Housing Act which requiries 6 months notice as standard and for any new tenancies notice can not be given within the first 6 months = 12 months notice period and then you have to start the legal process for a possession order.
This is a time bomb which will nuke the PRS in Wales. The worst case of short sightedness by any government. Will end BTL and many landlords will sell up and leave on this alone but if they proceed with the mandatory EPC Band C ………
I told you so.
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Climate change minister Julie James MS said the regulations are designed to stop people becoming homeless over the Christmas period.
Another Labour politician who can’t add and subtract!!! If I gave two clear months notice today, (formerly the norm) it would end in March 2022. That’s not Christmas.
If a landlord wishes to issue a notice today, it will not expire until July 2022 (6 months minimum is required and has been for over a year now) when you would then have to join the long waiting list for a possession order hearing.
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Perhaps the Wesh Government can stop interferring in private business and provide Council Housing as it used to. Don’t use private services if you don’t wish to rely on private contracts between landlords and tenants. Stop bending the law to suit your requirements to get you out of trouble for your own failings. Abusing powers to prevent landlords from evicting tenants who are criminal, in breach of their contracts or at the end of a fixed term contract is a breach of rights of landlords. Wales is leading the way in reducing the availablitily of rental property, as is England due to years of unmitigated landlord bashing. Who suffers? ultimately the tenants as supply reduces and rents rise.
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New Year Resolution to Landlords with property in Wales: SELL and let JJ and Drakefool find homes for them.
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This is exactly why they will be homeless. Relax the rules, the next Landlord will say
What, I can get her out in a month if she’s naughty? Ok, I’ll take her, I’ll take a chance. Send ’em all my way.
As it is, Landlords ain’t got open doors any more, super strict checks, rather leave house empty than take a chance cause u never know if u getting house back.
What these bafoons think is helping tenants is actually really hurting them. My lot 6 to 10+ years ago could move just like that-they can’t move any more.
I see u 3 comments above say exactly the same.
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Maybe Landlords will take the law into their own hands and see how long it takes for them to be taken to court?
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I totally understand the comments above but I feel its worth mentioning that in the vast majority of cases, it is the tenant themselves who bring the tenancy to an end. I think that the extension to the six months Notice will see landlords in 2022 being ultra cautious who they agree a rental to? As one comment above stated – have super strict checks in place – don’t be afraid to ask for a Guarantor and grill your letting agent about their referencing process. It may take you longer to agree a rental but worth it in the long run I feel?
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