James Evans MS has again raised serious concerns about Rent Smart Wales as the Labour Government’s landlord licensing scheme, Rent Smart Wales, as it approaches its 10th year anniversary on the 23rd November.
Rent Smart Wales, introduced in November 2015 by the Welsh Labour Government, requires landlords and agents to register, obtain licences and complete mandatory training. However, James says that a decade later the organisation is still lacking transparency, operating a confusing and unreliable IT system, and failing to support landlords facing non-paying tenants or severe property damage.
In July, James challenged the Welsh Government in the Senedd after numerous complaints from local landlords. He highlighted that Rent Smart Wales collects millions of pounds in fees but provides little clarity on how that money is spent. Rent Smart Wales states it is a “non-profit, self funding service” but they are clearly generating millions of pounds from landlords in Wales! The National Residential Landlord Association (NRLA) in a 2021 report believes it is generating more revenue than it spent. The Welsh Government confirmed it had commissioned an independent evaluation of Rent Smart Wales, published in May 2025. Recommendations were made to improve scrutiny but Welsh Government is still developing an action plan in response.
Concerns about Rent Smart Wales have also been echoed by sector bodies. A Propertymark report said landlords struggled with “unhelpful communication” and a system that was “difficult to navigate”, while The Negotiator reported that agents want Rent Smart Wales to “be less abrasive” towards compliant landlords.
Landlords currently pay:
- £102 for a Registration fee
- £327 for a Standard landlord licence fee
- £100+ for training courses every few years
James Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Brecon & Radnorshire, said:
“Ten years on, Rent Smart Wales still isn’t fit for purpose. Landlords tell me they pay hundreds of pounds in fees, yet when they face rent arrears, antisocial behaviour or properties being destroyed, Rent Smart Wales is nowhere to be seen. Welsh Labour created this system, but it provides regulation without support, pressure without partnership and cost without accountability. I challenge Welsh Government to publish a clear set of accounts for Rent Smart Wales alone, showing a breakdown of its income, costs and surplus and be fully transparent to the Welsh public.”
“I previously challenged Welsh Government on how much surplus Rent Smart Wales generates and where that money goes, but still no answers. If a Government-backed body is taking millions from the sector, then full transparency is not optional, it is essential.
“The independent evaluation published this year listed clear failings and recommendations. That was months ago, and still no action plan has been presented. Every day of delay means more landlords left struggling and more tenants stuck in a broken system.
“The vast majority of landlords are good, they want high standards, safe homes, and proper enforcement. But right now, they see Rent Smart Wales as a hindrance not a help. We need urgent reform, better transparency, and a system that actually helps drive improvements rather than just collecting fees.”
