Landlords have 8 weeks to register with Rent Smart Wales

Private Landlords in Wales have just eight weeks until the deadline to register themselves and their properties with Rent Smart Wales, Communities and Children Secretary, Carl Sargeant has highlighted today.

As a result of the Housing Act (Wales) 2014, by 23 November all private landlords need  to register and managing landlords and agents to become licensed with Rent Smart Wales (external link). Landlords and agents who are involved in letting and management activities will also have to undertake training to apply for their licence.

Rent Smart Wales is a landmark scheme that will help prevent the involvement of rogue and even criminal, landlords and agents in the management and letting of properties. It will also help to protect tenants in the private rented sector and will support good landlords and agents by helping them keep abreast of their responsibilities and legal obligations, raising the reputation of the sector as a whole.

He said:

“The deadline for registering and to become licensed with Rent Smart Wales is just eight weeks away. We are starting to see a surge in applications so I would urge those who have not yet done so to register as soon as possible because, whilst registration can be completed simply and quickly on-line, licensing can take up to eight weeks to process following the submission of information.

“The law requires all landlords to register and agents and self-managing landlords to obtain a licence. From 23 November 2016 anyone who has not complied with the law can be issued with a fixed penalty, or if taken to court, can be fined.”

City of Cardiff Council Cabinet Member, Cllr Bob Derbyshire, said:

“Landlords and agents will have had a full year to ensure they register, get trained and become licensed under the new scheme. The November 23 deadline is fast approaching and it’s now crucial to make arrangements for complying with law, so register now.”