A bill now making its way through the Welsh Assembly may “radically alter the way tenancy contracts are written” – but retains the right of letting agents to charge fees to tenants.

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) says it has been a major player with the Welsh Government on the provisions of the Renting Homes Bill.

The association says it has successfully rebuffed attempts to include rent controls within the bill, as well as proposals to remove landlords’ no-fault Section 21 eviction notice powers.

The RLA also says it has secured concessions such as a new abandonment procedure, which means landlords do not require a court order should they suspect a property has been abandoned.

“We have also maintained the ability for letting agents to charge fees to tenants which means that, at least in practice, agents should not have to pass this cost onto the landlord,” says a statement from the RLA.

However, the RLA says it still has concerns over whether the bill, when or if passed, will contain a six month moratorium which protects tenants from eviction during the first six months of their tenancy.