The Renting Homes Act: designed to make renting property easier in Wales

From 1 December 2022, anyone renting out or living in a rented home in Wales should be aware of changes to the way properties are rented. These changes are intended to improve and provide further security on how rented homes are rented, managed and occupied.

Under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, all social and private tenants will see some changes to the way their contracts are provided, how their homes are maintained and how they communicate with their landlords.

All landlords, whether social or private, and including those who rent their properties via an agent or management company must make sure that they comply with the new law and make all the necessary updates to their property and paperwork.

What will the changes look like and what difference will the new law make?

Tenants and licensees are going to be referred to as ‘contract-holders’ and ‘tenancy agreements’ are going to be replaced with ‘occupation contracts’.

If you are a ‘contract holder’, you will receive a written contract setting out your rights and responsibilities. Your ‘no fault’ notice period is increasing from two to six months and you will get greater protection from eviction. You will also have improved succession rights, which will set out who has a right to continue to live in a home, if the current tenant dies, for example. Joint contract-holders will have more flexible arrangements too, making it easier to add or remove other people to an occupation contract.

If you are a landlord, the system is going to be simpler, with two types of contract, either ‘secure’ for the social rented housing or ‘standard’ for the privately rented sector. If a property is abandoned it can be repossessed without the need for a court order. You must ensure the home is fit for human habitation (FFHH). This includes electrical safety testing and ensuring working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted. Landlords can find more information and helpful resources by going to https://gov.wales/landlords-housing-law-changing-renting-homes.