Welsh Housing Awards 2025
Read all the shortlisted entries into this award category, excellence in the private rented sector, at the Welsh Housing Awards (WHA) 2025 and find out who won the award on the night.
This award is open to all organisations operating in the private rented sector in Wales. It is aimed at letting agents or landlords who strive to excel in the areas of customer service and innovation.
Winning project name
Royal Victoria Court
Winning organisation
Tirion Homes
Statement of support
Tirion Homes is proud to submit its entry for the CIH award for excellence in the private rented sector, showcasing a bold and ethical approach to private renting in Wales. In response to the growing challenges faced by tenants in the private rented sector including rising rents, insecure tenancies, and limited access to quality housing Tirion has launched its own in-house lettings and management arm, now successfully operating at Royal Victoria Court in Newport.
Over the past two years, Tirion has let 234 homes, 184 of which are private rented properties not allocated through common housing registers. Every home was let on the day of handover, achieving zero rent loss and zero voids. This is a testament to Tirion’s operational excellence and deep understanding of tenant needs.
What sets Tirion apart is its innovative and ethical approach to tenant selection and tenancy management. Rather than relying solely on automated referencing systems, Tirion has implemented a human-led referencing process, ensuring decisions are made with empathy and a focus on long-term sustainability. This has enabled families previously excluded from the private rented sector due to affordability or rigid referencing criteria to access high-quality homes.
All 184 private rented homes are offered at a minimum of 20 percent below market rent, directly addressing affordability and helping tenants remain in their communities. In a sector often marked by insecurity, Tirion has gone further by granting secure contracts, offering tenants peace of mind and protection from no-fault evictions. This commitment to tenancies for life is a radical departure from standard practice and reflects Tirion’s belief that housing is a foundation for wellbeing, not just a commodity.
Tirion’s innovation extends beyond tenancy agreements. The organisation has invested significantly in community engagement, recognising that successful tenancies are rooted in strong, inclusive communities. At Royal Victoria Court, Tirion has worked to foster cohesion across mixed tenures, organising events, supporting local initiatives, and creating spaces for dialogue and connection. Over 100 people attended Tirion’s recent summer community event, gathering together to enjoy music, games, and shared experiences. This celebration of community spirit helped strengthen relationships and build a sense of belonging among residents.
Importantly, Tirion has provided homes to a number of families who were threatened with homelessness, preventing their displacement and avoiding the need for expensive temporary accommodation. In addition, several households have been housed directly from temporary accommodation, helping them exit the homelessness experience and begin rebuilding their lives in secure, affordable homes.
Partners and stakeholders have praised Tirion’s model. Newport City Council has acknowledged the scheme’s impact on local housing pressures, and community organisations have commended Tirion’s inclusive ethos. One local partner noted, “Tirion’s approach is a breath of fresh air—ethical, people-centred, and genuinely transformative.”
In a sector facing increasing scrutiny and demand for reform, Tirion Homes stands out as a leader in ethical innovation, proving that private renting can be both commercially viable and socially responsible. This submission reflects Tirion’s unwavering commitment to excellence in customer service, tenant engagement, tenancy security, and community support.
Outcomes and achievements
- 234 homes let in two years, including 184 private rented homes
- Zero rent loss and zero voids with every home let on day of handover
- Minimum 20 percent below market rent across all private rented homes
- Secure contracts granted to all tenants, eliminating fear of no-fault evictions
- Ethical tenant referencing system implemented, enabling access for families excluded from traditional private renting
- Families threatened with homelessness housed, preventing displacement and avoiding costly temporary accommodation
- Households housed directly from temporary accommodation, ending their homelessness experience
- Significant investment in community engagement, fostering cohesion across mixed tenure developments
- Over 100 residents attended Tirion’s summer community event, strengthening relationships and building a sense of belonging
- Positive feedback from local authorities and community partners, recognising Tirion’s impact on housing affordability and stability
- High tenant satisfaction, with residents reporting improved wellbeing, security, and community connection.
Tirion Homes has demonstrated that innovation and compassion can redefine the private rented sector. Its model offers a blueprint for ethical, sustainable housing that meets the needs of tenants and communities alike.
