New Housing Bill unveiled to tackles unscrupulous landlords

A new Housing Bill that will tackle unscrupulous landlords and family homelessness has been hailed as a monumental step forward by one Swansea AM.

Mike Hedges, who represents Swansea East, said the wide-ranging legislation would make a difference to thousands of people across Swansea who are currently struggling with housing difficulties. Provisions in the new Housing Bill include:

• Plans to enable Swansea Council to charge a higher rate of council tax on empty homes;
• The introduction of a mandatory licensing scheme with added accreditation for all landlords and letting agents in the private rented sector;
• A stronger duty on local councils to prevent homelessness;
• New standards for quality of accommodation for local authority and housing association properties.

Speaking from the Senedd on the launch of the Housing Bill, local AM Mike Hedges said:

“The new Housing Bill will make a difference to thousands of people across Swansea and beyond who are experiencing housing difficulties. Time and time again I hear horror stories from constituents of unscrupulous landlords ripping off their tenants.

“Homelessness is something I desperately want to see eradicated from our streets in Swansea, and the Welsh Government is putting the tackling homelessness agenda at the very heart of this forward thinking Bill.

“I also want to make sure that everyone in Swansea has access to a decent affordable home, and I am proud that Welsh Labour is doing everything possible to achieve that goal.”

Housing Minister Carl Sargeant commented:

“The Welsh Government is determined to make a positive difference to people’s lives and to do all it can to meet housing need.

“This Bill is very welcome as it will make a significant contribution to this Government’s priority of delivering more homes, better homes and better services across Wales.”