Since the Coronavirus pandemic began in 2020, significant pressures on local authority homelessness services has meant that significant numbers of people have been placed in bed and breakfast or hotels, as a form of temporary accommodation.
When the Renting Homes Act 2016 was implemented in December 2022, a temporary exemption was applied to mean that households staying in B&Bs or hotels would not be subject to an occupation contract, as became law for people in other rented accommodation.
In July 2023, the Welsh Government consulted on extending that exemption, given the continuing high levels of demand for temporary accommodation across all parts of Wales.
As Wales’ largest homelessness charity, we at The Wallich shared our views with the Welsh Government, on the risk of continuing to use B&Bs for long stays in temporary accommodation, but also the risks of withdrawing that provision without suitable alternatives in place.
