The Welsh Government is introducing some huge changes to the way properties will be rented in 2022.
The Renting Homes Act 2016 is set to be introduced in July 2022 and will change the way all landlords in Wales rent their properties.
The act aims to improve how properties are rented, managed, and lived in and according to Climate Change Minister Julie James, will make the renting process 'simpler and more transparent.'
Read more: The huge problems facing tenants and landlords in the rental market in Wales
Some of the main changes brought in by the Act will include:
- All landlords being required to provide a written copy of the occupation contract to the tenant (called the ‘contract-holder’ in the legislation). This sets out the rights and responsibilities of both parties.
- 'No-fault' notice periods increasing from two months to six months. It will no longer be possible to issue a notice in the first six months, meaning all contract-holders will have a minimum 12 months of security at the start of their tenancy.
- A strengthened duty on landlords, to ensure the property they rent is fit for human habitation including the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and regular electrical safety testing.
- Addressing the practice of 'retaliatory eviction' (whereby a landlord serves notice on a tenant because they ask for repairs, or complain about poor conditions).
- The introduction of a consistent approach across sectors to eviction where antisocial behaviour and domestic violence, occurs.
Who is affected by the new law?
All social and private tenants will see some changes:
- in the way their contracts are provided
- in the way their homes are maintained
- to 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
What does the new law mean for me?
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 repossessed without needing a court order.
Climate Change Minister Julie James said:
“This Act represents the biggest change to housing law in Wales for decades.
“The Act will make it simpler and easier to rent a home in Wales, replacing various, complex pieces of existing legislation and case law with one clear legal framework.
“When in place, contract-holders in Wales will have greater security of tenure than in any other part of the UK.”
The Welsh Government has also launched a national awareness campaign that will ensure both landlords and tenants are aware of the changes that will take effect from July 2022
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