LETTING agents in Wales will be banned from charging fees for services such as carrying out viewing, credit checks or renewing tenancy contacts after new regulations were signed off.

AMs voted 42 to one in favour of the bill which will mean agents in the private sector will only be able to charge fees relating to rent, security deposits, holding deposits or when a tenant breaches a contract.

Speaking in the Senedd, housing and local government minister Julie James said: Many of our constituents, and too often those on low incomes, have been at the sharp end of letting fees.

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"The bill rebalances the relationship between tenant, agent and landlord, removing any doubt about what costs need to be budgeted for when renting.

"The reforms brought about by the bill will help improve the reputation of the sector, which has become increasingly important in recent years."

Landlords and agents breaching the rules will be subject to fines.

Ms James added: "I know there is considerable interest in commencing the bill as soon as possible so that tenants can begin to benefit from no longer having to pay letting fees.

"Leanne Wood argued most passionately on behalf of students who wish to see fees banned in time for the start of the new academic year this autumn. That is my wish as well.

"Subject to the passage of the bill through this final stage and subject to Royal Assent being granted, I intend for the act to be commenced by the autumn."

Conservative AM David Melding also spoke in favour of the new regulations, saying: "This bill is just one step in the effort to build a housing market that is fit for the future.

"It is indeed unfair that tenants across the country should be stung by unexpected and unreasonable costs, and that is why I'm happy that we will be banning those fees, alongside other measures to make renting fairer and more transparent."

He added: "For all those landlords and tenants who are co-operating in a harmonious way, I say to them today that they have nothing to fear from this legislation.

"This will help them in the long run, because, alongside other pieces of legislation that have strengthened this area that have been passed in this Assembly, we will weed out those who are undertaking unscrupulous practices and we will strengthen thereby the market, and especially make it more conducive for responsible landlords and agents."

Fees have been banned in Scotland since 2012, and a similar ban is coming into place in England in June.