The full details of the Rent Smart Wales Scheme have now been released, and application forms and training days can officially be booked with the scheme officially launched and active as of today!
From today, all Landlords operating in Wales must become registered. Landlords have one year to comply with this new obligation. In order to register, a Landlord must apply and provide accurate, up-to-date information about themselves and their rental property(s).
Do I need a Licence?
Firstly, to clarify, there are two aspects to the Rent Smart Wales Scheme; Registration and Licensing. All Landlords, whether they manage the property themselves or instruct an agent to do so on their behalf, must become registered. If a Landlord instructs an agent to manage a property on their behalf, they must become registered but will not require a licence, and instead must ensure the agent they instruct is licensed for them. If a Landlord manages the property themselves under a “Let only” then the Landlord must register and become licensed. If you are unsure on whether you need to register, please click here. To check if you need a licence, click here.
Registration
To register as a Landlord, click here. This will direct you to the Rent Smart Wales website, you simply need to create an account and work through the on-line process. A landlord must complete the registration themselves; an agent or another person cannot do this on their behalf, as the person completing the registration has to verify that the information being registered is true and accurate and they are personally responsible for the record. If there are any changes to the following you must ensure you update your registration;
Any change in name; correspondence address, contact telephone number, e-mail address or other contact information provided as part of the registration
Any change (either that someone has started or ceased) to undertake letting or management at the registered rental property (for which they would need a licence from Rent Smart Wales)
Any changes of interest the landlord has with the rental property (i.e. if they sell a registered property)
If a Landlord acquires another property, they are obliged to add it to their registration. A Landlord has 28 days to do this.
Licensing
Firstly, a managing landlord must register; if the property is under joint ownership, one lead owner must register on behalf of all other owners. Once registered, Landlords must then complete a one day training course delivered by qualified trainers with real experience of working in the private rental sector. At the moment, only Rent Smart Wales have training courses available, but in due course we expect other training providers to become available and in the New Year there will also be on-line courses available for those who are unable to attend the course.
Does the registration expire?
Yes, once a Landlord is registered, it will last for 5 years after which time they will need to re-register. During that time the applicant must ensure that all of the information on their registration application is kept up to date while ensuring they comply with the conditions of the licence issued. One of the mandatory conditions will be to ensure you comply and adhere to the Code of Practice that has been created by the Welsh Government to ensure a consistent standard of letting and management practice in Wales. You can read a copy of the Code here. If at any time a licence holder fails to comply with any of the conditions of their licence of is no longer ‘fit and proper’, their licence can be revoked.
This is the main information for Rent Smart Wales, and with courses being filled up quickly, we recommend you register quickly. There will be plenty of courses coming available over the next few weeks, and CS Properties will of course be booking their course today to ensure we comply well before the deadline next year.
If you have any queries on the Scheme, feel free to contact a CS Properties representative or visit the Rent Smart Wales FAQ section (https://www.rentsmart.gov.wales/en/faqs/#16)
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