Chair’s Blog: Renting Homes (Wales) Bill (30/06/2015)

Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee: Stage 1 Committee Report On 26 June 2015, we published our Stage 1 Report on the Renting Homes (Wales) Bill (PDF 1.39MB). It contains 37 recommendations to the Minister that we believe are needed to strengthen the Bill. Generally, the evidence we heard showed that there was support for the overall aims of the Bill, particularly in terms of simplifying the existing law about renting. But, we did hear specific concerns about a number of areas in the Bill, and our recommendations to the Minister reflect these. Amongst other things, our recommendations relate to:

• the condition of rental properties - i.e. the requirement on a landlord to ensure that the property they are offering for rent is ‘fit for human habitation’ and in a good state of repair;
• the proposals for 16 or 17 year olds to be able to hold an ‘occupation contract’ (the new term for a tenancy);
• the proposals allowing landlords to exclude someone with a supported standard contract from their home for up to 48 hours without a court order.

Full details about all our recommendations, including the ones I have referred to above, can be found in our report. The next step in the Bill’s progress is the Stage 1 debate. This is due to take place on 7 July in the Assembly’s debating chamber, and will involve Members discussing and agreeing whether the Bill proceeds to the next stage of the legislative process. Keep an eye on #RentingHomesBill for more updates. How to get involved and keep up-to date with the Committee’s work

• Follow @SeneddCELG for all the latest information;
• Committee’s homepage for information on current inquiries and Bills;
• Renting Homes (Wales) Bill homepage: keep up-to date with the progress of the Bill

View a short video of the Chair discussing the Committee's report: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04Sr2joVBJM&w=560&h=315]