The Welsh Housing Minister has announced a commitment to a Welsh Housing Survey, a decision influenced by the lobbying efforts of Propertymark.
Propertymark’s campaign on the matter dates back to 2021, as highlighted by their 2021 Senedd manifesto and their latest contribution to the Senedd’s Local Government and Housing Committee regarding the private rental sector.
Previously, Propertymark had also reached out to the Welsh Climate Change Minister, Julie James, in June to discuss the issue.
When Janet Finch-Saunders, the conservative assembly member for Aberconwy, raised a question during a debate in the Welsh Assembly, the Welsh Climate Change Minister confirmed that she anticipates unveiling her plans for the Welsh Housing Survey by the close of March 2024 at the latest.
The Minister’s proposal aims to enhance the consistency in data gathering and to merge administrative data with occasional housing surveys. This fusion will offer a detailed insight into the housing inventory in Wales.
Discussing the private rented sector, Rent Smart Wales — an organisation that aids landlords and property managers in Wales to adhere to their Housing (Wales) Act 2014 obligations — has stepped up the quality of their data collection. They have also transitioned from monthly reports to a series of interactive dashboards.
Tim Thomas, policy and campaigns officer at Propertymark, said: “A Welsh Housing Survey could more accurately look at the reasons why tenancies are ended in the private rental sector, satisfaction levels of different housing tenures including social housing and data on home ownership.
“This information is vital to the development of evidence-based policies that can support agents, landlords, tenants and home buyers and sellers.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Minister and the Welsh Government on the development of a Welsh Housing Survey.”
