Meetings

NDM6181

Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales):
Gareth Bennett (South Wales Central):

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes proposals from the UK Government to abolish fees charged by letting agents to tenants in England.

2. Regrets that, on average, tenants are charged £233 in letting fees.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) take action to consider the impact of the abolition of these fees which has already taken place in Scotland;

(b) bring forward legislation in this Assembly to ban renters fees, ensuring that costs cannot be passed on to:

(i) tenants, by way of artificially higher rents; and

(ii) private landlords, noting that they form a valuable part of helping renters on to the property ladder

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn):
 
Add as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

regrets that in the previous Assembly, the Welsh Government failed to take the opportunity to ban excessive letting agents fees.

Amendment 2. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

In point 3, delete sub-points (a) and (b) and replace with:

(a) Consider how legislation on this subject might work in light of the evidence on the impact of abolition in Scotland and the responses to the consultation in England.

(b) Consult with other parties in the Assembly and stakeholders on the best way forward for Wales.

Amendment 3. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn):

Add as new sub-point at end of point 3:

further consider ways of tackling excessive and unfair service charges, or unjustified rises in service charges, that are levied on to leaseholders.

Amendment 4. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn):
 
Add as new point at end of motion:

Believes that, if the Welsh Government has produced legal advice suggesting a Bill on banning excessive agents fees would be outside of the legislative competency of the Assembly, this advice should be published.

The item started at 17.28

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6181

Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales):
Gareth Bennett (South Wales Central):

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes proposals from the UK Government to abolish fees charged by letting agents to tenants in England.

2. Regrets that, on average, tenants are charged £233 in letting fees.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) take action to consider the impact of the abolition of these fees which has already taken place in Scotland;

(b) bring forward legislation in this Assembly to ban renters fees, ensuring that costs cannot be passed on to:

(i) tenants, by way of artificially higher rents; and

(ii) private landlords, noting that they form a valuable part of helping renters on to the property ladder

For	Abstain	Against	Total
6	11	31	48

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn):

Add as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

regrets that in the previous Assembly, the Welsh Government failed to take the opportunity to ban excessive letting agents fees.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
23	0	25	48

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

In point 3, delete sub-points (a) and (b) and replace with:

(a) Consider how legislation on this subject might work in light of the evidence on the impact of abolition in Scotland and the responses to the consultation in England.

(b) Consult with other parties in the Assembly and stakeholders on the best way forward for Wales.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
36	6	6	48

Amendment 2 was agreed.

Amendment 3. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn):

Add as new sub-point at end of point 3:

further consider ways of tackling excessive and unfair service charges, or unjustified rises in service charges, that are levied on to leaseholders.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
48	0	0	48

Amendment 3 was agreed.

Amendment 4. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn):

Add as new point at end of motion:

Believes that, if the Welsh Government has produced legal advice suggesting a Bill on banning excessive agents fees would be outside of the legislative competency of the Assembly, this advice should be published.

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
12	11	25	48

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6181

Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales):
Gareth Bennett (South Wales Central):

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes proposals from the UK Government to abolish fees charged by letting agents to tenants in England.

2. Regrets that, on average, tenants are charged £233 in letting fees.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) Consider how legislation on this subject might work in light of the evidence on the impact of abolition in Scotland and the responses to the consultation in England.

(b) Consult with other parties in the Assembly and stakeholders on the best way forward for Wales

(c) further consider ways of tackling excessive and unfair service charges, or unjustified rises in service charges, that are levied on to leaseholders.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
48	0	0	48

The motion as amended was agreed.