Monmouthshire County Council are urging local landlords and agents to ensure they’re registered or licensed following a change to the law.

The warning comes after two recent convictions resulted in landlords being fined thousands of pounds for non-compliance with Rent Smart Wales.

With enforcement powers now active, those still refusing to comply are being warned they run the risk of a criminal conviction if they do not contact Rent Smart Wales as a matter of urgency and take immediate steps to operate legally.

Under the Housing Act (Wales) 2014, all landlords must be registered whilst self-managing landlords and agents must undertake training in order to gain a licence.

The Rent Smart Wales website offers a ‘check register’ service which allows tenants and the wider public to check if landlords and agents are breaking the law. Latest figures show over 4,000 properties in Monmouthshire have successfully completed the registration process.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Bob Greenland commented, ‘Our simple message to landlords is to act promptly if you want to avoid prosecution. The Rent Smart Wales team are on hand to help with any queries and I would urge landlords or agents who have yet to comply to visit their website rentsmart.gov.wales or call the helpline on 03000 133344 for more information’.