News

Agents operating in Wales can now access the latest on Welsh housing policy to help landlords and tenants navigate the newly introduced Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, thanks to revised training from safeagent.

The UK’s largest not-for-profit accreditation scheme for lettings and management agents has updated its Foundation Lettings Course content for agents in Wales, to account for the legislative changes that came into force this month. With its updated content gaining recognition from Rent Smart Wales, safeagent is currently the only agent organisation with an updated online qualification incorporating the changes.

Widely considered as the biggest change to housing policy in Wales for decades, the Act intends to simplify how homes in Wales are rented to provide greater security to tenants.

For private and social landlords, that means ensuring compliance with a whole new host of processes around rental home provision, from property safety and maintenance, to contractor agreements and eviction notices. With the changes affecting existing tenancies as well as new arrangements, landlords’ responsibilities have changed overnight.

safeagent hopes to ensure its agents have the knowledge needed to support landlords in managing these changes successfully.

safeagent firms can find out more and enrol here.

Rent Smart Wales requires all agents to complete a requisite training course or CPD content when re-licencing to operate in Wales. For any agents looking to re-licence or access the latest training on Welsh rental regulation, find out more about how safeagent can support you here.

Isobel Thomson, safeagent’s chief executive, says:

“The Act marks a major milestone for the regulation of the PRS in Wales – it’s vital that landlords are supported through these changes.

“Agents have an essential role to play in informing and supporting landlords with the new legislation.  

“The training materials we are providing will ensure they can continue to help deliver great rented homes in Wales with confidence.”