Sudden extension of longer notice periods is ‘yet another blow’ to the PRS

The Welsh government has once again extended the period that landlords must give tenants at least six months’ notice to vacate a property.

Since September last year landlords and agents have had to give six months’ notice to tenants of an intention to evict, which was due to run out at the end of June but was extended, with an option to extend beyond 30 September.

The Welsh government has now extended the six months’ notice to 31 December 2021.

In response to yesterday’s announcement by the Welsh government, Ben Beadle, chief executive at the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “The further extension of longer notice periods is yet another blow to the Welsh private rented sector and will only worsen the ongoing rent arrears crisis.

Ben Beadle

“Expecting landlords to carry the burden of extended notice periods is doomed to fail and the Welsh government’s desire to continue kicking the can down the road is jeopardising the long-term future of many landlords’ businesses and in turn, the security of tenants who rely upon them.

“This announcement indicates that the Welsh government lacks a coherent strategy to address the many issues affecting the private rented sector. The little publicised Tenancy Hardship Grant has helped less than half a dozen tenants and without a clear plan to exit emergency measures, the rent debt crisis will worsen, leaving many tenants with damaged credit scores, saddled with debt and local authorities unable to meet demand.”

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6 Comments

  1. MrManyUnits

    More Landlords will exit the business-thats what happens.

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  2. MickRoberts

    MrMany says it correct.

    Temporary reprieve which will make it worse for them in long run.

    My notes on this:

    This is what we’ve come to now. This is all having negative effect of what Govt want-As do most things Govt do.Landlords now like yourself think what? I can’t get my house back as agreed years ago? Cause Govt wants tenant to have longer. But what’s happening is, Landlords packing up when they can thinking I’ve had enough. Remaining Landlords charge more as limited supply. And Benefit tenants don’t get a look-in.Imagine if u could get your house back within a month, other Landlords would say What I can get me house back just like that if naughty tenant not paying? Ooh yeah Go on then, I’ll take a chance on her, I’ll buy some more to house them homeless down the road and that is how u bring prices down as tenants would say I’m not having your house, that one up road is cheaper and better.But cause 9+ million tenants and 2 million Landlords, Govt gets votes off tenants for giving them what they want to hear whereas we know every policy Tory Govt bought in since 2015 has made it worse for tenants and MUCH more expensive. Along with Selective Licensing and Universal Credit.And before anyone shoots me down, I’m biggest Benefit Landlord in Nottingham, get on with all me tenants. Had many same tenants same house for 24 years and they cannot move any more. No other Landlord will take em and they daren’t leave me cause they know I won’t **** on em if they good plus they can’t get anywhere.However I do have to retire one day and can’t carry on with all these anti-Landlord rules and regs they keep bringing in.

    Let’s turn it round and exaggerate this. U let Landlord evict after 2 weeks of non payment, he gets his house back, minimum cost, he rents again. Next Landlord thinks this isn’t bad, I’m gonna buy some more, at least I don’t have to wait 6+ months to go to court with no income in to evict. More Landlords more houses. Rents fall. Tenants have a choice. Tenants especially vulnerable ones can’t move anywhere at moment. U let Landlords get their property back sooner if no rent and damage, and more will buy. Tenants ten years ago if they din’t like something, they’d just move, it was easy for them. Landlord had to be half alright or he din’t have a tenant.

    Shorten the time to a month and we’d all give any tenant a chance. Or keep doing what they doing and don’t learn from the Govt and Councils mistakes of the last 6 years and watch the homeless increase

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    1. Will2

      Mick, you are correct and clearly have a rare commodity called “common sense”. Those in Government and certain so called charities clearly lack this and believe you can legislate and bully your way through it. Lunatic legislation like the of Rent Act 1977 demonstrates what happens when you lack common sense.  Those in positions of power can make all the rules they like but others work there ways around  daft rules and laws. I’m surprised they haven’t brought back the window tax and brick tax!!!

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      1. MickRoberts

        Ha ha that’s it Common sense. I just thought I was normal Landlord before all these changes & constant attacks on Landlords which ends up hurting tenant more. I then started to think I must be Einstein compared to Govt. But it appears I have tons of Common sense & Govt don’t.

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        1. AcornsRNuts

          This government has never had common sense. For another example look at their “Green energy” policy. They are heavily invested in wind power, then solar power and reject tidal power because the greenies don’t like it.

          What could go wrong?

          A calm day and the turbines don’t go round.

          Cloudy day and the solar power becomes a trickle.

          When did the tide not go in and out twice a day? Now tell me that there is ANY common sense in this government, but try and prove your case.

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  3. Woodentop

    The double whammy is the Wales Housing Act coming into effect in the spring of 2022 which makes the 6 months notice permanent and cannot be served within the first 6 months of a new tenancy, so the tenant gets 12 months notice before proceedings can start.  
     
    Add in the court system …. = how long is a piece of string to regain possession?  
     
    Also there are clauses in the Act which prevents the notice from being served within a 6 month period, even after the fixed period has expired. Shelter and the like will love this one. There is trouble ahead as unscrupulous rogue tenants will use it to their advantage and may possibly kill off BTL as that industry will not take the hit of no rent and arrears and any landlords with BTL need reserve funds to cover mortgage payments. You have been warned!
     
    PRS in Wales is being nuked at a time when they are so desperate for housing …. and why they are tying landlords hands. Its a short stop that will catch up with them and makes things even worse.

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