The Rent Smart Wales (RSW) scheme replaces the former voluntary Landlord Accreditation Wales (LAW) scheme and is administered by Cardiff Council, the designated single licencing authority in Wales. Landlords and agents have 12 months from 23 November in which to comply with the new legislation. From 23 November 2016, landlords and agents found to be ignoring their new obligations will have action taken against them by local authorities and the licensing agency. There will be heavy penalties for those who don’t comply.
The team at Cooke & Arkwright’s Land Agency department have all attended and passed the compulsory training courses to comply with the new licensing system and we are in the course of applying for a licence following opening of the scheme on 23rd November. Rod Perons, Director of Land Agency comments: “We were previously registered with the Landlord Accreditation Wales scheme. As soon as we became aware of this change in the law the whole team attended the required training so that we could become licenced under the new Rent Smart Wales scheme. Our landlords will still need to register their properties under the new scheme, and we will help them to do that, but if their properties are managed by Cooke & Arkwright, they will not need to obtain licences as well. People need to be aware that the legislation also affects landlords who live outside of Wales, but let a residential property in Wales.”
The legislation is intended to improve the Code of Practice in the private rented sector and raise awareness by landlords, agents and tenants of their respective rights and responsibilities. There are some exemptions, such as home owners with lodgers and resident landlords who do not need to be registered, but you should seek professional advice to be sure.
Pictured: Chris Hyde, Rod Perons, Rhian Howells and Ed Meyer