Decision details

A Government Bill, introduced by Carl Sargeant, Minister for Housing and Regeneration. The Business Committee remitted the Bill to the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee.

 

About the Bill

 

The key purposes of the Bill were to:

 

• Introduce a compulsory registration and licensing scheme for private rented sector landlords and letting and management agents;
• Reform homelessness law, including placing a stronger duty on local authorities to prevent homelessness and allowing them to use suitable accommodation in the private sector;
• Place a duty on local authorities to provide sites for Gypsies and Travellers where a need has been identified.
• Introduce standards for local authorities on rents, service charges and quality of accommodation;
• Reform the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy system;
• Give local authorities the power to charge 50% more than the standard rate of council tax on homes that have been empty for a year or more; and
• Assist the provision of housing by Co-operative Housing Associations.

 

Current Stage

 

The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 (external website) became law in Wales on 17 September 2014.

 

Record of Passage in the National Assembly for Wales

 

The following table sets out the dates for each stage of the Bill’s passage through the National Assembly for Wales.

 

Stage	Documents
Bill introduced -  18 November 2013	Housing (Wales) Bill, as introduced (PDF 342KB)   Explanatory Memorandum (PDF 1019KB)   Presiding Officer’s Statement: 18 November 2013 (PDF 115KB)   Business Committee’s Report on the timetable for consideration of the Bill: 18 November 2013 (PDF 40KB)   Plenary statement: Introduction of the Housing (Wales) Bill: 19 November 2013   Research Service Bill Summary   Legislative Glossary – Housing (Wales) Bill (Welsh language version only) (PDF 114kb) Table of Derivations (PDF 178KB)
Stage 1 – Committee considerations of general principles	Public Consultation (PDF 255KB): The Committee issued a call for evidence, which closed on 17 January 2014.   Consultation responses   The Committee will consider the Bill on the following dates:   12 December 2013 15 January 2014 23 January 2014 29 January 2014 6 February 2014 12 February 2014 (private) 5 March 2014 (private) 13 March 2014 (private) 19 March 2014 (private)   Letter and further information from the Minister for Housing and Regeneration:   14 January 2014 (PDF 1MB) 28 January 2014 (PDF 68KB) 19 February 2014 (PDF 1MB) 1 April 2014 (PDF 138KB)   Committee Stage 1 Report   Feedback to homeless people and Gypsy and Traveller communities that took part in focus groups (PDF 184KB)   Finance Committee Report (PDF 497KB)   Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee Report (PDF 458KB)
Stage 1 – Debate in Plenary on general principles	A debate took place in Plenary on 1 April 2014. The motion to agree the general principles of the Bill was agreed.
Financial Resolution	A Financial Resolution in relation to the Housing (Wales) Bill was agreed in Plenary on 1 April 2014.
Stage 2 – Committee consideration of amendments	Stage 2 consideration took place in Committee on 15 May and 21 May 2014.   Wednesday 21 May 2014 (morning) Marshalled List of Amendments: 21 May 2014 (PDF 282KB) Groupings of Amendments: 21 May 2014 (PDF 53KB)   Thursday 15 May 2014 (all day) Marshalled List of Amendments: 15 May 2014 (PDF 541KB)  (version 2) Groupings of Amendments: 15 May 2014 (PDF 53KB) (version 2)   Notice of Amendments: 2 April 2014 (PDF 136KB) (version 3) Notice of Amendments: 25 April 2014  (PDF 82KB) (version 3) Notice of Amendments: 30 April 2014 (PDF 98KB) (version 3) Notice of Amendments: 1 May 2014 (PDF 66KB) Notice of Amendments: 2 May 2014 (PDF 50KB) Notice of Amendments: 6 May 2014 (PDF 270KB) (version 2) Notice of Amendments: 7 May 2014 (PDF 64KB) Notice of Amendments: 8 May 2014 (PDF 145KB)   Marshalled List of Amendments: 2 May 2014 (PDF 203KB)   Housing (Wales) Bill, as amended at Stage 2 (PDF 434KB) (Amendments to the Bill since the previous version are indicated by sidelining in the right margin.) Revised Explanatory Memorandum (PDF 1MB)   Research Service Summary of Changes at Stage 2 (PDF 169KB)
Stage 3 – Plenary consideration of amendments	Stage 3 consideration and disposal of amendments took place in Plenary on 24 June and 1 July 2014.   Notice of Amendments: 12 June 2014 (PDF 95KB) Notice of Amendments: 13 June 2014 (PDF 193KB) (version 3) Notice of Amendments: 17 June 2014 (PDF 152KB) (version 3) Notice of Amendments: 24 June 2014 (PDF 74KB)   Stage 3 Government Amendments, 24 June 2014: purpose and effect (PDF 249KB) Stage 3 Government Amendments, 1 July 2014: purpose and effect (PDF 69KB)   Marshalled List of Amendments: 24 June 2014 (PDF 309KB) (version 6) Marshalled List of Amendments: 1 July 2014 (PDF 161KB) (version 2)   Groupings of Amendments: 24 June 2014 (PDF 53KB) (version 4) Groupings of Amendments: 1 July 2014 (PDF 46KB) (version 2)   Housing (Wales) Bill, as amended at Stage 3 (PDF 552KB) (Amendments to the Bill since the previous version are indicated by sidelining in the right margin.)
Stage 4 – Passing of the Bill in Plenary	The Bill was agreed by the Assembly in accordance with SO 12.36 on 8 July 2014.   Bill, as passed (PDF 552KB)   Housing (Wales) Bill, as passed (Crown XML)
Post-stage 4	The Solicitor General (PDF 89KB), on behalf of the Attorney General, Counsel General (PDF 139KB) and Secretary of State for Wales (PDF 69KB) wrote to the Chief Executive and Clerk of the Assembly to advise that they would not be referring the Housing (Wales) Bill to the Supreme Court under Sections 112 or 114 of the Government of Wales Act 2006.
Royal Assent	Royal Assent was given on 17 September 2014.

 

Contact information

 

Clerk: Sarah Beasley

Phone: 0300 200 6565

 

Postal address:

 

National Assembly for Wales

Cardiff Bay

Cardiff

CF99 1NA

 

Email: Contact@assembly.wales

 

The item started at 17.30

 

The amendments will be disposed of in the order that the sections and schedules to which they relate were set out in the motion under Standing Order 26.36 agreed by the Assembly on 17 June 2014.

 

Amendment 245 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 419 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 420 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 414 was not moved.

 

Amendment 421 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 422 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 246 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 423 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 8:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	26	51

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 9:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	11	25	50

Amendment 9 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 424 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 425 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 247 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 248 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 249 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 10A:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 10A was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 10:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	0	36	50

Amendment 10 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 355:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 355 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 250 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 251 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

As Amendment 251 was agreed, Amendment 11 fell.

 

Amendment 252 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 12:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	26	51

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

 

Amendment 253 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 13:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
24	0	26	50

Amendment 13 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 14:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	26	51

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

 

Amendment 254 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 255 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 28:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	26	51

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

 

As Amendment 28 was not agreed, Amendment 29 fell.

 

Amendment 256 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 426 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 257 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 258 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 15:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	0	36	50

Amendment 15 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 16:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
39	0	11	50

Amendment 16 was agreed.

 

Amendment 260 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 261 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 262 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 263 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 427 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 428 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 429 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 430 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

As Amendment 430 was agreed, Amendment 415 fell.

 

Amendment 431 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

As Amendment 431 was agreed, Amendment 416 fell.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 417:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	0	36	50

Amendment 417 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 432 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 30:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	0	36	50

Amendment 30 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 265 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 31:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	26	51

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 32:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
24	0	25	49

Amendment 32 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 17:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	0	36	50

Amendment 17 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 266 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 267 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 18:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	26	51

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

 

Amendment 271 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 272 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 273 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 274 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 275 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 276 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 433 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 278 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 279 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 280 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 33:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	0	36	50

Amendment 33 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 34:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	0	36	50

Amendment 34 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 281 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 356:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
20	0	30	50

Amendment 356 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 282 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 283 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 284:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
39	0	11	50

Amendment 284 was agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 357:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
16	0	34	50

Amendment 357 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 358:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 358 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 418:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 418 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 434:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
39	11	0	50

Amendment 434 was agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 35:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	26	51

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 359:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 359 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 285:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
39	11	0	50

Amendment 285 was agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 360:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
16	0	34	50

Amendment 360 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 286:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
39	0	11	50

Amendment 286 was agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 36:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	26	51

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 37:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
16	0	34	50

Amendment 37 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 361:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
16	0	34	50

Amendment 361 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 362:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 362 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 38:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
16	0	34	50

Amendment 38 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 287 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 39:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
16	0	34	50

Amendment 39 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 363:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
16	0	34	50

Amendment 363 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 364:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
16	0	34	50

Amendment 364 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 298 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 299 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 288 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 289 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 365:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 365 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 410:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 410 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 300:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 300 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 301:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 301 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 41 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 42 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 302:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 302 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 43 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 303:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 303 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 44 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 304:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 304 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 45 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 305:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 305 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 306:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

Amendment 306 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 46:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
39	0	11	50

Amendment 46 was agreed.

 

As Amendment 46 was agreed, Amendment 307 fell.

 

Amendment 47 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

All sections and schedules of the Bill were deemed agreed, concluding Stage 3 proceedings.

 

In accordance with SO26.67, the Minister for Housing and Regeneration made a statement that he had it in command from Her Majesty the Queen to acquaint the Assembly that Her Majesty, having been informed of the purport of the Housing (Wales) Bill, has given her consent to this Bill.