"I have over recent months received representations from landlords, and particularly social landlords, who have requested that implementation of the Act be delayed."
The Renting Homes Act, first passed in 2016, will make changes to the duties required of landlords in Wales, including increasing eviction notice periods. When the rules pass, landlords in Wales will need to give tenants at least six months' notice when serving a Section 21 eviction order.
Climate change minister Julie James, who is responsible for housing, said: “I have over recent months received representations from landlords, and particularly social landlords, who have requested that implementation of the Act be delayed.
“In the light of the unprecedented pressures they (landlords) face, including Covid recovery and supporting those who are fleeing the war in Ukraine, I have decided to postpone implementation of the Act until 1st December 2022. This will allow more time for landlords to complete the necessary preparations ahead of implementation.
"Wholesale reform of the type that the Renting Homes (Wales) Act is bringing about happens only very rarely - perhaps once in a generation. I want to do all I can to ensure landlords have adequate time to make the necessary preparations to comply with the requirements of the Act."
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, commented: “The NRLA had warned for some time that the Welsh Government’s timetable for implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act was unrealistic and provided insufficient time for landlords to prepare. It is reassuring that landlords’ concerns have been heeded, albeit late in the day.
“We welcome the announcement that implementation will be postponed until 1 December 2022. This will give the Government time to consider the many issues raised by private and social landlords ahead of these major changes coming into force.”
Daryl McIntosh, Propertymark’s policy manager for the UK Devolved Nations, added: “This delay has come completely out of the blue.
“We understand that this is a huge piece of legislation that fundamentally changes the entire rented sector in Wales, but what is taking so long? Royal Assent was granted six years ago and the Welsh Government still hasn’t published all of the regulations.
“With hindsight the five-month delay probably shouldn’t come a surprise, and will give our member agents and their landlords, and the rest of the rented sector, some additional time to understand and implement the changes.
“We urge Ministers to get on with publishing the remaining regulations within their original timeframe of June and July to ensure there is sufficient lead-in time and to avoid any further delays and uncertainty.”
