Date set for big lettings changes in Wales

UPDATE: This date has been pushed by the Welsh Government to 1st December 2022

On Thursday (13th Jan) the Welsh Government announced a date for the implementation of the new lettings legislation, Renting Homes (Wales) Act. This was scheduled for Spring 2022 but they have now confirmed the date of implementation will be the 15th July 2022.

The new act is described by the Welsh Government as the "biggest shift in housing law for decades" and will make permanent the already-applied six-month tenancy notice.

Central to the new Act, are two new occupation contracts to replace the current tenancy agreements.

• a secure contract (for community landlords, such as local authorities)
• a standard contract (for private landlords).

Landlords will also be required to issue a written statement to the tenant (now called the contract-holder). The written statement must contain all the required contractual terms:

• fundamental terms cover the most important aspects of the contract, including the possession procedures and landlord’s obligations regarding repairs.
• supplementary terms deal with the day-to-day matters applying to the occupation contract such as the requirement to pay rent on time or maintain a garden.
• additional terms address specifically agreed on matters

Additionally, there are new requirements for landlords which will offer more support for tenants. 

• Six-month notice periods to end contracts where the holder is not at fault
• Landlords are unable to issue such possession notices during the first six months of occupation. Giving contract-holders (tenants) having a minimum of one year of security from their move-in date

Contract-holders (tenants) are also protected from possession notices if the Court can be satisfied that the landlord issued the possession notice to avoid carrying out essential repairs requested by the contract-holder.

Joint contract-holders can also be added or removed from occupation contracts without the need to end one contract and then start another to make alterations quicker.

This complex legislation change still has limited supporting documents available. We will be updating all our landlords directly as information becomes available and our team will be attending courses and training to help our landlords through this complex change in regulations.

Source: https://gov.wales/housing-law-changing