A Labour council has started a month-long consultation with private tenants.

It says the exercise is to allow private tenants to help shape the council’s policy towards the sector for the next five years.

The private rented sector in Torfaen is smaller than other local authorities in Wales, with only 11% of households privately renting, compared to 24% in social housing.

The council says its new strategy “will explore the challenges many private renters face, including affordability and security, and capture local residents’ experiences to help shape future support and policy.”

The consultation, running until April 20, will involve three ‘drop in’ sessions in the council area.

A council spokesperson says: “We would like to support private landlords and tenants to ensure private renting is a safe and affordable option for people who cannot afford to buy a property but do not want to wait to be allocated one from a social housing provider.”