Housing and Health

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:02 pm on 1 May 2018.

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Photo of Bethan Sayed Bethan Sayed Plaid Cymru 2:02, 1 May 2018

Shelter Cymru's guidance to private tenants about taking action if their home is unhealthy or in a dangerous state, and I quote:

'Firstly, you need to think carefully about whether to take action. In particular, consider whether your landlord is likely to try to evict you rather than do the work.'

Although the tenants can then ask the council to send an inspector, they are still under risk afterwards if the landlord decides to throw them out, or if they have a grudge because they have taken that action. In that regard, will you look to putting legislation forward in relation to protecting long-term renters and encourage longer term tenancies with clear and significant penalties for landlords if they take this type of action? Because, of course, we want to ensure that their houses are healthy, but if they are judged for taking action, then that is something we should all be concerned about.