Welsh landlords and letting agents face fines of up to £5,000 if they fail to comply with Rent Smart Wales licensing requirements – with many approaching renewal milestones more than 10 years after the scheme was launched.

The NRLA is urging licence holders to check if their licence is due for renewal. Rent Smart Wales was introduced in November 2015 with a one-year grace period for landlords and agents to register, meaning many who completed the process during 2016 are now reaching a second renewal cycle.

Many will now be approaching – or may already have passed – your second renewal date.”

The landlord body warns: “Many will now be approaching – or may already have passed – your second renewal date.”

Prosecutions

The landlord body adds that the enforcement figures show landlords and agents must act without delay. Since the new scheme came into force, 355 of them have been prosecuted, and £53,600 has been recovered through Rent Repayment Orders.

Licence holders are advised that they can check their renewal date by logging into their Rent Smart Wales account, where the expiry dates are displayed on the dashboard.

Licence renewals cost between £257 and £327, depending on how the application is submitted. There are, however, early-bird discounts available for those who renew at least 42 days before their licence expires.

The NRLA reminds landlords and agents that in order to renew a licence, they must also demonstrate that they have completed the required training, which covers their legal obligations and responsibilities under Welsh housing law.