The Housing (Wales)
Bill was introduced into the National Assembly for Wales on 18 November 2013. The Bill
is currently at Stage 2. There are four
stages:-
Stage 1 is the legislative process.
Stages 2 and 3 are an opportunity for Assembly members to
suggest amendments.
Stage 4 will involve a vote by the Whole Assembly on whether
or not the Bill should become law.
If the Bill passes through all of the above stages then it
is possible that the Bill could receive Royal Assent in the Summer of 2014.
The Bill is intended to improve housing standards, increase
affordability, enhance communities and help prevent the difficulties and lack
of opportunities often faced by vulnerable people.
The proposed legislation will contain the following
elements:-
- Private Rented Housing: The Bill proposes a mandatory
licensing scheme for landlords and letting and management Agents in Wales.
- Homelessness: The
Bill proposes a new duty on Local Authorities to take reasonable steps to
prevent homelessness.
- Gypsy and Traveller Sites: The Bill proposes a duty upon Local
Authorities to provide sites for Gypsies and Travellers where a need has
been identified.
- Local Authority Standards:
Welsh Housing Quality: The
Bill proposes that all Local Authorities with
housing stock are expected to
meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard
(WHQS).
- Local Authority Standards :
Rents: The
Bill proposes a new rent policy to be
introduced and there will be a
new legislative framework in place for that policy.
Subsidy Scheme: The Bill proposes measures that will
enable Welsh
Ministers to put in place
procedures and timescales that Authorities will need to
follow to exit the Housing
Revenue Account Subsidy System.
- Council Tax on empty homes: The Bill proposes that Local Authorities
will have a discretionary power to charge up
to 150% of the standard rate of council tax on homes empty for more than 12
months.
- Co-operative Housing: The Bill proposes to develop co-operative
housing by allowing fully mutual housing co-operatives to grant assured
tenancies.
The Bill is the first ever Housing Bill that the Welsh
Government has introduced into the National Assembly for Wales and we will continue to
provide information as to its progress.
If you would like to speak to someone about a Housing matter or anything else, please feel free to call any of our offices on 01978 291000 for Wrexham, 01244 312166 for Chester or 01492 641222 for our Cyfraith JRL Law office in Llanrwst.
