What is Rent Smart Wales?

Rent Smart Wales is a government scheme which seeks to prevent the intrusion of rogue and criminal landlords in to the private rental market.

Unfortunately, whilst the majority of residential landlords do their utmost to ensure that their tenants are safe and comfortable in the property for the duration of their tenancy, some landlords refuse to take these necessary steps voluntarily.

The new registration scheme will not only allow both landlords and tenants to access a centralised system, but also help local authorities undertake the required functions under the relevant legislation.

What Do Landlords Need To Do?

The most important thing to do is to make sure you register before 23 November, 2016. Whilst this is the last day, applications to register and receive a license can take up to 8 weeks to process, so it is important that you apply with plenty of time to make sure you meet this requirement.

In registering, you yourself need only register once – you can then enter the details for the properties in question, regardless of how many there are.

There is a fee to pay, though it varies whether or not you do so online or by paper; applying online will see you incur a fee of £33.50, or £80.50 for a paper application. The costs of the licenses themselves are thereafter £144.00 and £186.00 respectively for private landlords. The licenses are valid for a period of 5 years.

If you do not participate in the management of the property (whether the person who manages the property is another individual or an agent), you will not be required to obtain a license, as they themselves should hold their own license.

This application and registration process only applies for properties situated within Wales – even if you yourself are based here, but your property is in England, there is no need for you to register.

What Happens if You Don’t Register?

Should you continue to rent or manage a property without the required registration and licensing, you may face a fine or a rent stopping order.

The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 also allows for criminal proceedings where a landlord has failed to register and continues to let a property in convention of this statute.

Registration takes as little as 15 minutes, and could save you a lot of hassle. Be sure to visit

www.rentsmart.gov.wales for further information.

Article supplied by Owen J Lloyd – Slater and Gordon Lawyers – Business Legal Services