Future of Housing in Wales

Future of Housing in Wales

What are the further developments I wish to see in housing in Wales, following two substantial housing bills in 2014 and 2015, I believe more needs to be done to improve housing in Wales. We know that household sizes are reducing according to the office of national statistics reduced between 2001 and 2011

“There were 26.3 million households in the UK in 2011. The number of households has increased by 7.0 per cent since 2001, slightly faster than the 5.3 per cent growth in the size of the UK population. This is due to the trend towards smaller household sizes: the proportion of households containing four or more people decreased from 20.7 per cent in 2001 to 19.6 in 2011, while the proportion of households containing one person increased from 28.6 to 29.4 per cent, or by nearly 0.7 million to 7.7 million, over the same period”

I have a ten points plan for better Housing in Wales

First- I believe most importantly, is the suspension of the right to buy and the building of new social  houses and flats. The provision of social housing built and run by the Council is I believe the most efficient and cost effective way of providing much needed housing but if not by Councils then by Housing Associations. This will reduce the number of properties on the private rented market and increase the number able to be bought by individuals and families to live in as opposed to rent out.

The second development I would like to see is the substantial growth of co-operative housing. We know it works across large parts of the world including Europe and North America. We need legislation to make it easier to built and manage co-operative housing and a commitment to its provision. There is no reason why co-operative housing cannot work in Wales but we need people to see it as an option and for housing co operatives to develop.

Third- whilst major progress has been made in relationship to private rented properties there is a desperate need, especially in the major conurbations, to introduce rent capping. The very high private sector rents are one of the major causes of the escalation of the welfare bill. Instead of cutting benefits, I believe we need to limit the rents being charged.

Fourth,-the 2015 act partially tackles this; privately rented houses should be of a reasonable standard and safe to live in. Whilst not in the housing act 2015 there has been a commitment by the Minister to bring in regular electrical and Carbon monoxide tests as part of the housing regulations.

Fifth-Local Authorities should build houses for sale and use the profits from the sale to support the Housing revenue account

Sixth-Secure tenancies should be the default renting housing option

Seventh- predictable rent rises in line with inflation unless there has been a substantial improvement I the building

Eighth- There needs to be a ban on letting agent fees as fees are business costs, and they ought to be paid by the business

Ninth – Ensure that privately rented properties are routinely inspected by Environmental Health Officers

Tenth- Tenants should not be subject to unreasonable rules.

Finally substantial progress has been made in housing legislation in Wales but there remains more to be done.