The Renting Homes Act 2022

Rental Laws are Changing

From the 1st of December 2022, all landlords in Wales will be renting their properties in a different way.  The law is supposed to improve how everyone rents, lives and manages their rental properties in Wales.

 

Who is affected by the New Law?

Any private or social tenants will see the following changes:

  • the way their contracts are provided
  • the way their homes are maintained
  • how they communicate with their landlords

 

All social and private landlords, including those who rent their properties through management companies or agents, will need to:

  • comply with the new law
  • make the necessary updates to their properties and paperwork

Who is affected by the New Law?

Tenants

Under the new law, tenants and licencees will become ‘contract-holders’. Tenancy agreements will be replaced with ‘occupation contracts’.

The new law will make renting easier and provide greater security.

For contract-holders this will mean:

  • receiving a written contract setting out your rights and responsibilities
  • an increase in the ‘no fault’ notice period from two to six months
  • greater protection from eviction
  • improved succession rights, these set out who has a right to continue to live in a dwelling, for example after the current tenant dies
  • more flexible arrangements for joint contract-holders, making it easier to add or remove others to an occupation contract

Landlords

For landlords this will mean:

  • A simpler system, with two types of contract: ‘Secure’ for the social rented sector and ‘Standard’ for the private rented sector.
  • Ensuring homes are fit for human habitation (FFHH). This will include, electrical safety testing and ensuring working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted.
  • Abandoned properties can be repossesed without needing a court order.

What should I do next?

The Welsh Government wants this transition to be as smooth as possible for everyone. Whether you’re a landlord or a tenant it is important you know what the changes mean for you.

Please visit gov.wales for more information.