According to Housing Minister, Huw Lewis AM:
"The paper sets out a bold and ambitious programme of legislative and non-legislative action to tackle homelessness, to improve conditions in the private rented sector and to deliver more homes, as well as proposals for tenancy reform, which will benefit tenants and landlords alike."
He continues:
"The action set out in the White Paper aims to tackle issues within housing sector as a whole, rather than adopting the piecemeal approach that has been taken in the past, in which traditional social housing has dominated. While social housing remains a major commitment, a more comprehensive approach is also outlined."
Proposals set out in the White Paper include:
-Strengthening the strategic role of local authorities to identify and address local housing needs;
-Tackling the waste and blight of empty properties by giving local authorities discretionary power to increase council tax on properties empty for longer than one year;
-Increased focus on tackling empty homes through the national "Houses into Homes" programme and other programmes;
-Withdrawal from the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy after concluding negotiations with HM Treasury;
-Effective regional collaboration on housing functions and services, including the Supporting People programme;
-Improving the conditions for individuals and families who rent their home from private landlords by improving the practices of landlords, lettings agents and managing agents.
Good private sector landlords will benefit from these changes as it will not allow bad practice to continue.
The paper also states that that WAG will: "Legislate for a national, mandatory, registration and accreditation scheme for private landlords, lettings and management agents based on agreed Codes of Practice, and ensure every tenant has a written tenancy agreement."
