Renting law to tackle rogue landlords, Welsh government claims

Rogue landlords will be tackled by a new law to make renting a home simpler, the Welsh government has said.

Landlords who fail to maintain their properties will no longer be able to evict tenants who complain, and domestic abusers can be evicted without making the rest of the family homeless.

Communities Minister Lesley Griffiths said the Renting Homes Bill would make renting "clearer and easier for all".

But some charities fear it will end the six month protection for new tenants.

Shelter Cymru and Citizens Advice Cymru have warned it could lead to an increase in early evictions in the private rental sector.

More than a million people in Wales - one in three - live in rented properties

The changes will mean:

• Only two types of rental contract - one for the private sector, the other for social housing

• Tenants to be given easy-to-understand written contracts

• Landlords evading responsibility to maintain property no longer able to evict tenants

• New powers to evict domestic abusers without affecting others living at the property

• Landlords given more flexibility to offer short-term tenancies e.g. for people who may have become homeless

• 16 and 17-year-olds able to rent their own property for the first time

Ms Griffiths said: "Reforming Wales' rented housing sector will make a difference to over one million people in Wales and create a modern and successful rented housing sector."

She will tell AMs about the bill in the Senedd on Tuesday.