Meetings

The item started at 18.05

NDM7600 Julie James (Swansea West)

To propose that the Senedd in accordance with Standing Order 26.47:

Approves the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill.

Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill, as amended at Stage 3

The item started at 18.06

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

NDM7600 Julie James (Swansea West)

To propose that the Senedd in accordance with Standing Order 26.47:

Approves the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill.

Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill, as amended at Stage 3

The result was as follows:

The motion was agreed.

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 Senedd on 19 January 2021.

The amendments have been grouped for the purposes of debate and the groupings will be debated as follows:

1. Repossession Grounds

32, 33, 46, 51, 52

2. Notice periods

34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45

3. Standard and fixed term contracts which can be terminated with 2 months notice

9, 53, 54

4. Miscellaneous amendments to the 2016 Act

10, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 56, 21, 25, 26, 27

5. Restrictions on giving notice

1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31, 8

6. Withdrawal of notice

47, 48, 49, 50, 55

7. Changes to permitted payments under the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) Act (Wales) 2019

5, 6, 7

Supporting Documents

Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill (as amended at stage 2)

Explanatory Memorandum

Marshalled list of amendments

Groupings of amendments

The amendments were 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 as agreed by the Senedd on 19 January 2021.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 13.11 the Meeting was suspended by the Llywydd until 13.16.

A vote was taken on amendment 32:

Amendment 32 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 33:

Amendment 33 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 34:

Amendment 34 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 35:

Amendment 35 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 36:

Amendment 36 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 37:

Amendment 37 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 38:

Amendment 38 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 39:

Amendment 39 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 40:

Amendment 40 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 41:

Amendment 41 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 42:

Amendment 42 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 43:

Amendment 43 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 44:

Amendment 44 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 45:

Amendment 45 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 9:

Amendment 9 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 10:

Amendment 10 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 53:

Amendment 53 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 54:

Amendment 54 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 46:

Amendment 46 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 3:

Amendment 3 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 4:

Amendment 4 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 11:

Amendment 11 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 12:

Amendment 12 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 13:

Amendment 13 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 14:

Amendment 14 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 15:

Amendment 15 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 47:

Amendment 47 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 48:

Amendment 48 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 49:

Amendment 49 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 50:

Amendment 50 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 16:

Amendment 16 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 17:

Amendment 17 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 51:

Amendment 51 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 52:

Amendment 52 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 5:

Amendment 5 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 6:

Amendment 6 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 18:

Amendment 18 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 55:

Amendment 55 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 19:

Amendment 19 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 20:

Amendment 20 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 56:

Amendment 56 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 21:

Amendment 21 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 22:

Amendment 22 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 23:

Amendment 23 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 24:

Amendment 24 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 25:

Amendment 25 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 26:

Amendment 26 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 27:

Amendment 27 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 28:

Amendment 28 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 29:

Amendment 29 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 30:

Amendment 30 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 31:

Amendment 31 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 7:

Amendment 7 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 8:

Amendment 8 was agreed.

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

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 14.32 the meeting was suspended by the Llywydd.

4.2.a. The Committee noted the correspondence from the Minister for Housing and Local Government - Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill: Stage 3.

NDM7544 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 26.36:

Agrees to dispose of sections and schedules to the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill at Stage 3 in the following order:

a) Sections 1 - 3;

b) Schedule 1;

c) Sections 4 - 6;

d) Schedule 2;

e) Sections 7 - 10;

f) Schedule 3;

g) Section 11;

h) Schedule 4;

i) Sections 12 - 14;

j) Schedule 5;

k) Sections 15 - 16;

l) Schedule 6;

m) Sections 17 - 18;

n) Long title.

The item started at 17.44

NDM7544 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 26.36:

Agrees to dispose of sections and schedules to the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill at Stage 3 in the following order:

a) Sections 1 - 3;

b) Schedule 1;

c) Sections 4 - 6;

d) Schedule 2;

e) Sections 7 - 10;

f) Schedule 3;

g) Section 11;

h) Schedule 4;

i) Sections 12 - 14;

j) Schedule 5;

k) Sections 15 - 16;

l) Schedule 6;

m) Sections 17 - 18;

n) Long title.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government

Emma Williams, Director of Housing and Regeneration, Welsh Government

Simon White, Head of Housing Strategy and Legislation, Welsh Government

Rebecca Raikes, Lawyer, Welsh Government

The Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee agreed on 9 November 2020, under Standing Order 26.21, that the order of consideration for Stage 2 proceedings will be:

− Sections 1-3

− Schedule 1

− Sections 4-6

− Schedule 2

− Sections 7-10

− Schedule 3

− Section 11

− Schedule 4

− Sections 12-14

− Schedule 5

− Sections 15-16

− Schedule 6

− Section 17 – 18

− Long title.

Paper 1: Marshalled list of amendments

Paper 2: Groupings of amendments

2.1 In accordance with Standing Order 26.21, the Committee disposed of the following amendments to the Bill:

Amendment 12 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 13 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 14 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 15 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 16 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 17 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 18 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 19 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 20 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 21 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 22 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 23 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 24 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 25 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 31 (Mark Isherwood MS)

Amendment 27 (Mark Isherwood MS)

Amendment 26 (Delyth Jewell MS)

Amendment 1 (Julie James MS)

Amendment 2 (Julie James MS)

Amendment 3 (Julie James MS) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 4 (Julie James MS) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 5 (Julie James MS) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 28 (Mark Isherwood MS)

Amendment 32 (Mark Isherwood MS)

Amendment 29 (Mark Isherwood MS)

Amendment 30 (Mark Isherwood MS)

Amendment 6 (Julie James MS) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 7 (Julie James MS) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 33 (Mark Isherwood MS)

Amendment 8 (Julie James MS) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 9 (Julie James MS) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 10 (Julie James MS) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 34 (Mark Isherwood MS)

Amendment 11 (Julie James MS)

9.1. The Committee agreed the order of consideration for Stage 2 proceedings of the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill.

NDM7423 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd, for the purposes of any provisions resulting from the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill, agrees to any increase in expenditure of a kind referred to in Standing Order 26.69, arising in consequence of the Bill.

The item started at 19.04

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

NDM7423 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd, for the purposes of any provisions resulting from the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill, agrees to any increase in expenditure of a kind referred to in Standing Order 26.69, arising in consequence of the Bill.

The result was as follows:

The motion was agreed.

NDM7422 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd in accordance with Standing Order 26.11:

Agrees to the general principles of the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill.

The Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill and Explanatory Memorandum were laid before the Senedd on 10 February 2020.

The report of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee on the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill was laid before the Senedd on 1 October 2020.

Supporting Documents

Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

The item started at 19.04

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

NDM7422 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd in accordance with Standing Order 26.11:

Agrees to the general principles of the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill.

The Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill and Explanatory Memorandum were laid before the Senedd on 10 February 2020.

The report of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee on the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill was laid before the Senedd on 1 October 2020.

A vote was taken on the motion:

The motion was agreed.

4.3.a. The Committee noted the additional information from the Welsh Government in relation to the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill.

CLA(5)-27-20 – Paper 48 – Draft report

The Committee considered its draft report on the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill and agreed to confirm final changes outside of Committee. The Committee noted that the report would be laid by the required deadline of 2 October 2020.

3.3.a The Committee noted the additional information from the Welsh Government in relation to the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill.

CLA(5)-25-20 – Paper 47 – Draft report

The Committee considered its draft report on the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill, and to consider a further draft at the next meeting.

7.1 The Committee was content with the evidence and agreed not to report on the Bill.

Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government

Emma Williams, Director of Housing and Regeneration, Bill - Senior Research Officer

Simon White, Head of Housing Strategy and Legislation

Rob Owen, Renting Homes Legislation Manager

Supporting papers: 

Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill 

Explanatory Memorandum 

FIN(5)-15-20 P1 - Letter from the Minister for Housing and Local Government - Response to questions on the Bill - 16 July 2020 

Research brief

3.1 The Committee took evidence from Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government; Emma Williams, Director of Housing and Regeneration, Bill - Senior Research Officer; Simon White, Head of Housing Strategy and Legislation; and Rob Owen, Renting Homes Legislation Manager on the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill.

3.2 The Minister for Housing and Local Government agreed to provide an update on the Welsh Government’s communications strategy for the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill.

1.1.      The Committee considered and agreed the draft report, subject to minor amendments to be agreed electronically.

CLA(5)-25-20 – Paper 53 – Letter from the Llywydd, 4 March 2020

CLA(5)-25-20 – Paper 54 – Letter from the Minister for Housing and Local Government, 11 August 2020

CLA(5)-25-20 – Paper 55 – Correspondence from Cytun, 18 August 2020

CLA(5)-25-20 – Paper 56 – Legal advice note

Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill, as introduced

Explanatory Memorandum

The Committee considered the key issues in relation to the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill, in addition to the correspondence received from the Minister for Housing and Local Government. The Committee agreed to consider its draft report at the next meeting.

4.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received under item 2, and considered and agreed the key issues.

Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government

Emma Williams, Director of Housing and Regeneration, Welsh Government

Simon White, Head of Housing Strategy and Legislation, Welsh Government

Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill

Explanatory Memorandum

2.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government

·         Emma Williams, Director of Housing and Regeneration, Welsh Government

·         Simon White, Head of Housing Strategy and Legislation, Welsh Government

2.2. During the evidence session, the Minister agreed to provide details of the lessons that were learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to better communicate and raise awareness with hard-to-reach groups.

7.1 The Committee discussed the correspondence with the Llywydd in relation to the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill.

The Business Committee agreed to consult ELGC on the revised timetable before making a decision, and to ask for a response by next week.

7.2a The Committee noted the correspondence from Chris Philp MP regarding the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.

Jim McKirdle, Policy Officer (Housing), Welsh Local Government Association

Fiona Wilkins, Housing services Manager, Caerphilly County Borough Council

Will Henson, Policy & External Affairs Manager, Community Housing Cymru

Matt Dicks, Director, Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru

Ross Thomas, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Tai Pawb

Julie James AM, Minister for Housing and Local Government

Simon White, Head of Housing Strategy and Legislation, Welsh Government

Rob Owen, Housing Strategy and Legislation, Welsh Government

Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill

Explanatory Memorandum

Research Brief

5.4.a The Committee noted the letter from the Llywydd in relation to the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill.

7.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received under items 2, 3 and 4.

David Cox, Chief Executive, ARLA | Propertymark

Douglas Haig, Vice-Chair and Director for Wales, Residential Landlords Association

2.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         David Cox, Chief Executive, ARLA | Propertymark

·         Douglas Haig, Vice-Chair and Director for Wales, Residential Landlords Association

2.2. During the evidence session ARLA | Propertymark agreed to provide a note on whether any of the proposals in the Bill as currently drafted contravene human rights legislation.

Alun Evans, Senior Campaigns and Advocacy Officer, Citizen’s Advice

Jennie Bibbings, Campaigns Manager, Shelter Cymru

Nick Morris, Policy and Communications Manager (Wales), Crisis

4.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Alun Evans, Senior Campaigns and Advocacy Officer, Citizen’s Advice

·         Jennie Bibbings, Campaigns Manager, Shelter Cymru

·         Nick Morris, Policy and Communications Manager (Wales), Crisis

4.2. During the evidence session Shelter Cymru agreed to share details of their Living Homes Standard research, published in July 2017.

Rob Simkins, NUS Wales President

Dan Wilson Craw, Director, Generation Rent

3.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Rob Simkins, NUS Wales President

·         Dan Wilson Craw, Director, Generation Rent

3.2. During the evidence session Generation Rent agreed to provide detailed statistics from the English Housing Survey, on homelessness as a result of no fault evictions.

5.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received under item 2.

Dr Craig M. Gurney CIHM, Lecturer in Housing, School of Social and Political Sciences (Urban Studies), University of Glasgow

Dr Thomas Simcock CMRS, Research Fellow, Unit for Evaluation and Policy Analysis, Edge Hill University

2.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Dr Craig M. Gurney CIHM, Lecturer in Housing, School of Social and Political Sciences (Urban Studies), University of Glasgow

·         Dr Thomas Simcock CMRS, Research Fellow, Unit for Evaluation and Policy Analysis, Edge Hill University

5.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received under item 2.

Julie James AM, Minister for Housing and Local Government

Emma Williams, Deputy Director, Housing Policy Division, Welsh Government 

Rebecca Raikes, Lawyer, Welsh Government

Simon White, Head of Housing Strategy and Legislation, Welsh Government

Papers:

Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill

Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill - Explanatory Memorandum

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·         Julie James AM, Minister for Housing and Local Government

·         Emma Williams, Deputy Director, Housing Policy Division, Welsh Government 

·         Rebecca Raikes, Lawyer, Welsh Government

·         Simon White, Head of Housing Strategy and Legislation, Welsh Government

7.1 The Committee discussed and agreed its approach to scrutiny of the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill.

Emma Williams, Deputy Director Housing Policy Division, Welsh Government

Simon White, Head of Housing Strategy and Legislation, Welsh Government

Rebecca Raikes, Lawyer, Welsh Government

Nia Evans, Legislative Counsel, Welsh Government

6.1 The Committee received a technical briefing on the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill from Welsh Government officials.

6.1 In accordance with Standing Order 17.31, item 6 was cancelled as the meeting was inquorate.

Business Managers agreed in principle to refer the Bill to the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee to consider the general principles, and to write to the committee to consult on the proposed timetable.