The proposals in the White Paper have been informed by the evidence received to the Welsh Government’s Green Paper consultation last year.

The responses and evidence provided highlighted the importance of properly defining housing adequacy in a Welsh context and how it can be realised over time. The White Paper therefore sets out proposals for the development of a long-term housing strategy to provide a clear and measurable framework to support the delivery of housing adequacy for all.

These include:

• proposals to develop legislation in the next Senedd term, to place a duty on Welsh Ministers to produce a housing strategy to address housing adequacy, including provisions for monitoring, reporting and review. 
• consideration of placing a duty on defined public sector bodies to have regard to the housing strategy in discharging their housing functions. 

The White Paper also sets out a number of proposals aimed at improving affordability, habitability and accessibility in the Private Rented Sector – all of which are key aspects of housing adequacy. The proposals have also been informed by the Green Paper consultation, which clearly showed a need to improve the robustness of rent data as a first step to better understand the local context and ensure effective targeting of potential future policy interventions.    

Proposals set out in the White Paper also include: 

• proposals to improve rent data, including a requirement on landlords/and or agents to provide rent data to Rent Smart Wales; 
• the development of a spatial rent map to show local area rent data; 
• proposals on how to demonstrate a property is habitable; 
• proposals to support people renting with pets; 
• guidance around rent guarantors; and 
• exploring the potential for Land Transaction Tax (‘LTT’) higher residential rates relief if properties are signed up to the Welsh Government’s Leasing Scheme Wales.

Jayne Bryant, cabinet secretary for Housing and Local Government, said: “Ensuring everyone in Wales has a decent, affordable and safe place to call home is a key ambition of this Government. The principle that everyone has a right to an adequate home is one we wholeheartedly support. I am proud of the progress we have already made towards delivering housing adequacy for the people of Wales - this includes improving housing quality and standards; strengthening tenant’s rights; delivering more social homes; introducing broad measures to manage future numbers of second homes; and transforming our approach to homelessness.

“We are also building on these strong foundations, with continued significant investment to deliver more social homes and are developing ambitious and far-reaching legislation to support our ambition to end homelessness.”

Tim Thomas, policy and campaigns officer at Propertymark, said: “Propertymark welcomes the direction of the White Paper on securing a path towards Adequate Housing, including Fair Rents and Affordability. We have extensively engaged with the Welsh Government and are pleased they have listened to our concerns by not implementing rent controls in Wales. 

“We also welcome the acknowledgement that localised data sources must improve to make better evidence-based policy decisions for the Private Rented Sector across Wales. This will ensure policy makers have a better understanding of market rents and affordability challenges.  

“Fundamentally, we believe that affordability will be achieved by positively stimulating the supply of property via a pro-growth taxation policy. Integral to the aims of housing adequacy is a professional, well-regulated, and responsive sector, and we will continue to engage with the Welsh Government by demonstrating the professional standards of property agents amongst our membership.”

The consultation will run until 31 January 2025.