SUMMARY OF THE LATEST NEWS ITEMS
The power of community-led housing
Join DTA Wales on 14th September in Newport, Torfaen. This See you Yourself Visit is entitled “Creatively tackling urban and rural housing shortage in Wales” Click to read full article
Pro’s & Con’s of Future Gazing on Data Use
Information technology (IT) has progressed significantly in recent years, so much so, there are now huge emerging opportunities for social landlords to provide beneficial value for money services that enhance the rental experience for their tenants/leaseholders. Click to read full article
Calling for letting fees to be abolished in Wales
Much is made of self-regulation but a recent report on the private letting agencies in Wales highlights concern at the ability of the letting agency industry to regulate itself and comply with the law. Click to view full story
Cross-Sector Challenges after Brexit
While we do not know what challenges we face after Brexit, for the industry, housing or individual lives. Jonathan has prepared a short blog on his thoughts after Brexit. Click to view
Cathy Come Home
Jonny’s blog on the film Cathy Come Home back in 1966 about homeless, poverty, un-employment, child services, squatting and more. Have we progressed in 2016. Click to view
Housing Camp Cymru Un-conference
Welsh Tenants were pleased to support the Housing Camp Cymru ‘un-conference’ event this year. Here Jonathan Howells provides an outline of the day and some of the sessions he attended. Click to view
Universal Challenge
A highly critical Universal Credit report was launched recently by the think tank, The Resolution Foundation, Universal Challenge – Making a success of Universal Credit. Click to read full article
Homes for Wales – Our case for building a stronger Wales!
The Homes for Wales campaign brings together those who believe everyone has a right to a decent affordable home to call their own. We ask that the next Welsh Government publishes an ambitious plan for housing as part of the new Programme for Government that sets out how they will end the housing crisis in Wales. Click here for our response Homes-for-Wales-Leaflet1.pdf (1130 downloads)
A brief guide for leaseholder
Since the Right to Buy was initiated tens of thousands of tenants have exercised the right to purchase a lease on their tenanted flat. However, during this period, many were poorly advised and failed to understand their full responsibilities as a leaseholder. Click to read full article
Make your home safer in 2016
Electrical safety is something we feel strongly about at Welsh Tenants. Our association with Electrical Safety First (ESF) dates back to 2013 when mutual concerns were expressed for the rise in vulnerable people having to access the largely unregulated private rented sector. Click to read full article
Welsh Government consults on social housing standards
Monday 18th January 2016 began a 12 week two part consultation on the setting of mandatory standards for social housing. The consultation relates to Part 4 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 which gave Ministers new powers Click to read full article
Rent uplift for 2016 – 2017
Earlier this year the UK government in the July budget announced that social landlords in England were to introduce a 1% cut in social housing rents producing savings of around £1.5bn annually, what’s going to happen in Wales? Click to read full article
Changes to the Welsh Tenants Structure
Over the past few years the Welsh Tenants has grappled with the question ‘how will it survive and thrive as a representative voice for tenants in Wales with zero grant funding while maintaining its mandate as a national tenant focused organisation? Click to read full article
Reform of the Private Rented Sector began 23rd Nov 15
A landmark scheme commenced in Wales on 23rd Nov, as all landlords and letting agents will be required to register as providers with Rent Smart Wales. Click here to read full article
Consultation on refreshing the Financial Inclusion Strategy for Wales 2016
The Welsh Government is currently revising its Financial Inclusion Strategy, with a new Strategy to be published in 2016, deadline for consultation responses is 4th January 2016. Click here to read full article
Affordable homes target set to be exceeded
Welsh Government has announced that it is set to exceed the targets for 10,000 affordable homes before the end of this Assembly term (May 2017). Read full article
DWP has provided details of the UC roll out
The DWP has confirmed the details of the areas to which universal credit will roll-out between September 2015 and April 2016. Click here to read full article
Response to the Public Accounts Committee
The Public Accounts Committee undertook an inquiry to consider how the changes to Housing Benefit introduced by the UK Government’s welfare-reform programme are impacting on Welsh councils and housing associations. Click here to read full article
Welsh housing sector missing out on nuggets of gold that can improve services according to tenants
The results were published of the national survey of tenants in April. The survey commissioned by CH Cymru with support from the Welsh Government has helped regulators and other stakeholders to profile a picture of tenant satisfaction across Wales’ housing association sector. Click here to read full article
Boost deliver WHQS
A significant £108 million investment in Wales’ social housing stock has today been announced by Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Lesley Griffiths.
The funding will be used by LA and RSL’s to improve people’s homes and ensure they are safe, secure and meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS). Click here to read full article
To Buy or Not To Buy. This is the question!
In recent weeks the minister for The Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty has consulted on modifying or removing right to buy & right to acquire. The Welsh Tenants held two events in to discuss the white paper proposals along with support from TPAS Cymru. Click here to read full article
Homes for Wales Bulletin
This Homes for Wales Bulletin is the latest in a series of action by the Welsh Government to improving housing, people’s lives and communities. Health, well-being, education, jobs and local communities are all aspects of life that are affected by the homes in which people live. It is vital that everyone has a decent place to live. In partnership with many other organisations, the Welsh Government is taking action to make a difference to people’s lives. Click here to view bulletin
Renting Homes (Wales) Bill gets tenant scrutiny
The National Assembly, Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee chair Christine Chapman AM whose committee will scrutinize the bill, organised a series of round table discussions with tenants from all the primary markets impacted by the Renting (Homes) Wales bill. Read full article
Exemptions to the Council Tax premium on Long-Term Empty Homes in Wales
The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 which received Royal Assent on 17 Sept 2014 gives Local Authorities the discretion to charge Council Tax premiums on long-term empty homes and second homes in Wales. Read full article
Call for 5 year Electrical Safety Check
Welsh Tenants were pleased to be a partner in the calls for better electrical safety in rented homes in Wales, with an introduction of a 5 year electrical safety test. Read full article
Carbon Monoxide alarms to be fitted to PRS homes in England – should Wales follow
Welsh Tenants welcomes the news by the Gas Industry Safety Group (GISG) (11 March 2015) that Communities Minister Penny Mordaunt announced that it is now mandatory for private landlords to install smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in rented properties in England. Read full article
Welsh Government – Direct Payment Report
Welsh Government task and finish group published its report today Direct payments of Housing Benefit in the social Rented Sector and Sustainable Tenancies that looked into how the sector can better support people and to mitigate the impacts of welfare reform. Read full article
Attempts to curb unreasonable use of Section 21
Attempts to curb unreasonable use of section 21 Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather made a valiant attempt to introduce a private members bill that sought to provide a defence for tenants who are victims of retaliatory evictions. Read full article…
Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre Wales
The Renewable Heat Incentive is a scheme that pays participants to heat their homes with renewables. Did you know that on average 75% of household energy bills are as a result of heating & hot water. Read full article
Welsh Housing Quality Standards – Focus On Delivery Charter
The charter is aimed at social landlords seeking to involve their tenants in monitoring not just the bricks and mortar of WHGS planning and delivery but also services.
A helpful tool has been developed with the support of Caerphilly Tenants Information Exchange, Caerphilly CBC and APA Ltd together with the Welsh Tenants and funded by the Tenant Empowerment Grant scheme: click here to download charter
