Housing (Wales) Measure 2011

What is the purpose of the Measure?

Part 1 of the Measure will enable local authorities to apply to the Welsh Ministers to suspend Right to Buy in areas of housing pressure. Part 2 will provide the Welsh Government with enhanced regulatory and intervention powers concerning the provision of housing by Registered Social Landlords.

What are the benefits of the Measure?

The objective underlying the policy of part 1 is to provide social landlords with a period of grace (when statutory rights are suspended) to enable the supply of affordable housing in the area to be increased by other means. When the supply has been built up and the period of suspension ends, it is intended that tenants will be able to exercise their statutory rights once again.

A very broad range of intervention powers is required to maintain the rigour and credibility of the regulation of Registered Social Landlords in Wales. New powers are needed to bring consistency with the intervention powers available to the Tenant Services Authority in England. We need to ensure that lenders’ confidence in the regulatory regime for Registered Social Landlords in Wales is maintained so that investment in the sector continues in order to improve the quality of social housing in Wales. The move towards obtaining these powers is part of the wider package of regulatory reform that is being developed with the sector.

How do I find out more information?

To view the approved Measure and supporting documentation, visit the National Archives.