A major new law aimed at improving the safety of homes across Wales has been approved by the Senedd, marking one of the most significant pieces of legislation passed since devolution.

The Building Safety (Wales) Bill has now been agreed by Senedd Cymru and will introduce a new system designed to better protect people living in shared buildings such as flats and apartment blocks.

The legislation was developed in response to the Grenfell Tower fire, which claimed the lives of 72 people and exposed major failures in building safety regulation across the UK.

Under the new law, those responsible for managing residential buildings will face clear legal duties to keep residents safe.

Fire risk assessments will have to be carried out by qualified and competent professionals, with criminal penalties possible if the rules are ignored.

The legislation will also make it clearer who is responsible for building safety, something campaigners say has been a major problem in the past when issues arise in blocks of flats.

Another key part of the law is giving people living in shared buildings a stronger say in how their homes are managed.

Residents will have clearer routes to raise concerns and seek action if they believe safety risks are not being properly addressed.

Ministers say the new approach is designed to make building safety a central part of how homes are managed across Wales, rather than something only considered after problems occur.

The new rules will apply to shared residential buildings of all heights and types, meaning they go further than similar legislation introduced in England.

That could affect thousands of residents living in apartment blocks in towns and cities across Wales, including developments in parts of North Wales such as Llandudno, Bangor and Wrexham, where more modern apartment living has expanded in recent years.

Housing Secretary Jayne Bryant described the legislation as a major step forward for safety in Wales.

She said the law had been shaped by the experiences of residents and by recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, with the aim of ensuring the failings that led to the disaster could never be repeated.

Alongside the legislation, the Welsh Government has also published an update on progress in implementing recommendations from the Grenfell inquiry and continuing work to support residents affected by building safety issues.

Ministers say the new law will help create safer homes and clearer responsibilities for building managers, while giving residents greater confidence that concerns about safety will be properly addressed.