Landlords and letting agents are set to be banned from charging fees to private rental tenants in Wales under plans for a new law.

At the moment, tenants can be charged fees for a number of administrative reasons – including credit, reference and immigration checks, and even for an accompanied property viewing.

Fees of this kind were banned in Scotland in 2012, and AMs from all parties have urged the Welsh Government to follow suit here in Wales.

Plans for a new law – The Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Bill – will allow agents and landlords to only charge fees relating to rent, security deposits, holding deposits, or when a tenant breaches a contract.

Responding to the legislation, David Melding AM – the Welsh Conservative spokesperson for housing – said:

“The Welsh Conservatives are supportive of this piece of legislation and recognise its importance in building a fairer private rented sector.

“What we hope is that the Welsh Government are learning from the Scottish ban, and the scrutiny of the Westminster proposal, to ensure that the most efficient system is put in place in Wales.

“The outcome that we need and should be hoping to achieve is a housing sector that is fair and works for everyone.

“Failure to address this now will restrict many people from accessing the housing tenure that is right for them”.