I would like to refer Members to my own declaration of interest form regarding property ownership.

Minister, I thank you for laying these regulations, and can confirm that we will be voting in favour. Energy performance certificates should be provided as a bare minimum and the requirements of the Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022 should certainly be met. In fact, it is only common decency to also expect landlords to install carbon monoxide alarms. Every year, there are still approximately 30 accidental deaths from acute carbon monoxide poisoning in England and Wales, and over 200 non-fatal poisonings requiring hospital admission.

I can see no objection either to obtaining an electrical condition report. This could be a positive step in ensuring that our nation sees fewer electrical fires caused by wiring, cabling and plugs. Across Wales, there were 772 incidents between 2014 and 2019. One of the aims of the regulations is to prevent landlords from attempting to take so-called retaliatory evictions in situations where a contract holder has brought to their attention an issue of safety or disrepair—quite rightly. Safety issues, disrepair and any inadequate housing leading to dangerous situations must be addressed. 

The explanatory memorandum states that the Welsh Government has undertaken a considerable amount of work in recent years to tackle poor practice by landlords in Wales. This includes a landlord registration and licensing scheme designed to raise professional standards in the sector. Now that this scheme is, I think, about five years old now, even if it's not today, I would like the Minister to make a statement at some stage as to the benefits to both landlords and tenants that Rent Smart Wales has actually brought. We know now that there have been 4,584 deregistrations or deactivated landlords in Rent Smart Wales between 2018 and 2021.

Whilst I acknowledge that you had a public consultation on increasing the minimum notice period for a no-fault eviction in 2019, I would still have some concerns that no formal consultation has been undertaken specifically in relation to these regs. It is clear from the stakeholder groups that I hold and speak to within the sector that there is still this divide between them and the Welsh Government. It would help greatly if you could use every possible opportunity to engage and co-operate with them. Therefore, should further regulations in relation to the rental sector be forthcoming, will you assure the sector that there will be a fresh opportunity for them to be consulted? Diolch.