Generation Rent has criticised the Welsh government’s plans to reform the country’s PRS market, which would only come in after May 2026 at the earliest.
The tenancy advocacy group has welcomed several of the government’s proposed plans but is still pushing for more to be done for tenants in Wales.
The Welsh government had recently issued a white paper consultation on “adequate housing and fair rents”, seeking market insights for this.
This ran until 31st January 2025 with Jayne Bryant, cabinet secretary for housing and local government, stating that ensuring everyone in Wales had a “decent, affordable and safe place to call home” is a “key ambition” for the government.
Generation Rent has welcomed some of these proposals and in particular has welcomed plans to improve rent data (including a requirement for landlords to provide data to Rent Smart Wales), develop a spatial rent map and define how to demonstrate a home is habitable.
However Generation Rent has argued these plans “do not go far enough” and made a number of further recommendations.
These included limiting rent rises each year to the lower of wage-growth or consumer price index inflation, an end to unfair convictions and compensation for tenants forced to move.
“The white paper outlines the government’s vision for adequate and affordable homes for all, with proposals to strengthen renters’ rights and ensure housing standards are met,” said Generation Rent in a statement.
“However, as these proposals are intended for the next Senedd term, meaningful reforms may not come into effect until after May 2026, leaving renters at the mercy of the current crisis. Renters in Wales cannot afford to wait for years for action.”
