Housing Law Update

As the only firm of Solicitors to provide legal aid for Housing advice in Wrexham, Allington Hughes feel it is important to keep as much information available to the public as possible. 

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.

• Housing Revenue Account

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. 

Tracey Powell of the Housing Department.