Welsh Government housing bill will help thousands in Wrexham and Denbighshire, says AM Ken Skates

A NEW housing bill that will tackle unscrupulous landlords and family homelessness has been hailed as a monumental step forward by Clwyd South AM Ken Skates.

Labour AM Mr Skates said the wide-ranging legislation would make a difference to thousands of people across Wrexham and Denbighshire who are struggling with housing problems.

The bill includes plans to enable local authorities to charge a higher rate of council tax on empty homes and the introduction of a mandatory licensing scheme with added accreditation for all landlords and letting agents in the private rented sector. It also includes a stronger duty on local authorities to prevent homelessness and new standards for quality of accommodation for council and housing association properties.

Mr Skates said: “The new housing bill will make a difference to thousands of people across Clwyd South who are experiencing housing difficulties. Time and time again we hear horror stories of unscrupulous landlords ripping off tenants, and a new licensing scheme will help combat that.

“Homelessness is something I desperately want to see eradicated and the Welsh Labour Government is putting that at the very heart of this bill. We want to make sure everyone in Wrexham and Denbighshire has access to a decent affordable home and I am proud that Welsh Labour is doing everything possible to achieve that goal.”