Another new rule for Landlords in Wales
New rules coming into effect in Wales from the end of February will mean landlords will require planning permission to convert a house from use as a single household to a shared rental property of 3 to 6 unrelated people, commonly known as Homes for Multiple Occupancy (HMO)
Landlords will need to pay a fee of £380 upfront when they apply for the planning permission, this is similar to the way the scheme works in England, there will be no guarantee that permission will be granted however.
The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) Vice Chairman for Wales, Douglas Haig reportedly said: “All the evidence shows that Wales needs more, not less rented housing. It beggars belief therefore that landlords are being clobbered once again, expected to pay up for planning permission to convert the use of properties.
“The reality is that landlords will have little option other than to raise rents or exit the market altogether faced with the growing costs of renting housing. Either way, it is tenants who will lose out.
“We call on the government to think again about these planning changes which will simply become a cash cow for local authorities.”
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