Increase housing supply across all tenures
Wales continues to face a significant housing shortage and requires a renewed focus on boosting supply across the social, private rented and owner-occupied sectors.
This includes improving the planning system so that it is consistent, properly resourced and responsive to local housing need. We want to see local development plans that reflect demand for different property types and tenures, alongside an infrastructure-first approach so that new communities are sustainable and attractive places to live.
Support investment in the private rented sector
We are urging the Welsh Government to review the impact of Land Transaction Tax on additional properties and consider targeted incentives to encourage long-term rental investment, which could help bring more homes into the sector.
We also want to see stronger support for bringing empty properties back into use, including improved access to grants and interest-free loans for landlords willing to invest in regeneration.
Avoid rent controls and focus on affordability
While affordability remains a serious concern, evidence from elsewhere in the UK shows that rent controls risk reducing supply and discouraging investment.
Instead, we are calling for policies that tackle affordability at its root. This includes ensuring housing support is adequate and reflects real market rents and committing to a long-term programme of building social housing to reduce demand pressures in the private rented sector.
Professionalise property agents through regulation
We continue to campaign for mandatory regulation of property agents, including minimum qualification requirements, a statutory Code of Practice and a fit and proper person test. This would help stamp out bad practice, improve consumer confidence and support professional agents who invest in training and compliance.
We are calling on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to modernise the regulatory framework and introduce consistent qualification requirements across sales, lettings and management.
Tackle economic crime and strengthen compliance
Property is a high-value asset class and an attractive target for criminals. The scale of economic crime in the UK runs into billions of pounds, and the property sector remains vulnerable where standards are inconsistent.
We are urging stronger coordination across government, improved guidance for agents and wider application of anti-money laundering supervision in the lettings sector. Professional regulation would also play a key role in reducing risk and strengthening sector integrity.
Improve access to justice and enforcement
A well-functioning housing system depends on effective enforcement and access to justice. We are calling for properly resourced local authorities, clearer enforcement powers and reforms that ensure disputes can be resolved quickly and fairly.
