Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
I am today publishing the Welsh Government’s consultation on a new rent and service charge standard for Wales, which applies to general needs and sheltered housing provided for social rent.
Our current social rent policy, the Welsh Government’s Rent and Service Charge Standard (the ‘Rent Standard’) was agreed in 2019 for five years. However, since then we have experienced significant economic volatility leading to Welsh Ministers setting the maximum rent caps between 2021 and 2023.
We have undertaken a thorough review of the implementation of the Rent Standard, to identify where the policy could be improved or strengthened. This complex and important piece of work has benefitted from considerable stakeholder input, for which I am grateful.
Given the economic challenges of recent years and the ongoing cost of living pressures many people face, I want to ensure that our social rent policy reflects our commitment to affordability, certainty, and stability. This consultation is an opportunity to gather views on our proposed policy changes, and the feedback received will help shape the Welsh Government’s next rent standard.
The consultation closes on 12 August 2025, and I look forward to reviewing your responses.