Private rented sector

A significant amount of housing is provided to tenants via the private rented sector. Private landlords may have only one or two properties or may be professional landlords with a suite of properties. Tenants in the private rented sector vary widely from students to professionals. 

Local authorities have a duty to consider how the housing needs of their area are to be addressed.

There are a number of initiatives, including:

• Landlord forums
• Social lettings agencies
• Licensing houses in multiple occupation (HMO's)
• Using legal powers to enforce landlords to improve standards

The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 (HWA 2014) introduced legislation which regulates the private rented sector and requires landlords and agents of private residential property to be registered and / or licensed. 

Rent Smart Wales is the licensing authority for the whole of Wales and is responsible for establishing and maintaining a register of information pertaining to landlords and agents, it processes landlord registrations, grants licenses, and delivers training for those involved in the rental market Rent Smart Wales also provides advice to those who let or manage rental properties in Wales to assist them to comply with their HWA 2014 obligations.