Commentary on Sections Part 1 Regulation of Private Rented Housing Section 5 – Exceptions to the requirement for landlord to be registered
9.There are exceptions to the requirement in section 4(1) for a landlord to be registered. The requirement does not apply to a landlord who is a registered social landlord (registered social landlords are subject to separate registration by the Welsh Ministers under Part 1 of the Housing Act 1996) or a fully mutual housing association (whose membership is comprised entirely of tenants or prospective tenants of the properties provided by it). The Welsh Ministers have the power by order to specify other persons to whom the requirement to register in section 4(1) does not apply.
10.The other circumstances in which the requirement to register will not apply are: a) where a landlord has applied to be registered and the application is being considered; b) during the period of 28 days after a landlord has had the interest of the dwelling assigned to him or her, for example where the landlord becomes the freehold owner of the property; c) if a landlord is attempting to recover possession of a property and began steps to recover possession within 28 days of it being assigned to him or her.