Case Study

Rent Smart Wales

The Welsh Government is the devolved Government for Wales. Headed by the First Minister of Wales, the Welsh Government is responsible for areas such as health, education, language and culture and public services.

The Welsh Government is separate from the British Government, which retains responsibility for UK-wide areas such as tax, defence, foreign policy and benefits. Wales' voice in the UK Government is represented by the Secretary of State for Wales in the Wales Office.

In 2007 Rocktime was awarded the contract by Cardiff Council to develop a web based system that would allow the 22 local authorities to accredit and monitor PRS housing landlords when considering PRS housing. When launched in 2008 it was deemed as ground breaking within local government housing teams.

Following the Housing (Wales) Bill being passed by the Welsh Assembly in July 2014 new obligations were passed on Local Authorities in Wales to administer and enforce a registration system for private sector landlords and a licensing regime for landlords and agents who let and manage rental properties in Wales.

Challenge

With the passing of the new bill the Landlord Accreditation Wales Scheme became redundant and as a consequence a new system was required. The LAW Scheme had some 3,400 registrants and the intention for the new system is between 70,000 to 130,000 landlords with several hundred letting agents.

The new system, branded as Rent Smart Wales, offers a comprehensive registration and property management system for single, joint persons, Trusts, Charities, body corporates etc.

Solution

Development of a bespoke web based system offering the following:

  • Management of registration of landlords
  • Management of licences for landlords and agents
  • Management of bookings and courses
  • Management of applicants information
  • Management of enforcement activities by Licensing Authority and Local Housing Authority

Success

Phase I of the much heralded The Rent Smart Wales landlord licensing scheme launched in November 2015. Receiving both local and national media coverage, the launch of the innovative system will improve the image of the private rented sector across wales.

In May of 2016, Rocktime launched Phase II of the system. Rocktime’s Managing Director, Alex McCreath said “The private rental sector is playing an increasingly important role in meeting housing needs in Wales, and with the launch of the Rent Smart Wales scheme local councils will be able to fully identify all of the private rented properties within their local area. Rocktime is proud to have delivered this innovative and ground breaking solution to the Welsh Government and looks forward to providing innovation and ongoing support to the Welsh Government over the coming years”.

 

rentsmart.gov.wales

Rent Smart Wales has help tackle bad landlords who give the sector a bad name. When Rent Smart Wales is introduced, it will provide a simple way for landlords to register and for them and their agents to become licensed. Ahead of the changes, I encourage landlords and agents to subscribe to register their interest and to receive useful news and updates.

Lesley Grifiths AM
Communities Minister - Welsh Government
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