The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 update

Changes to The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

The Welsh Government has recently announced that it is implementing changes to The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. This affects our tenancy agreements from the 1 December 2022. We have put together this helpful guide to help explain what these changes mean to our tenants.

The Renting Homes (Wales) Act (RHA) 2016 – what is it & what does it mean?

• From the 1 December 2022, the Welsh Government plans to implement the RHA. This will change the way we rent our homes, improving the rental experience for you.
• The new act will improve the way we rent, manage, and how you live in rented homes in Wales.

What do these changes mean to you?

• You won’t need to do anything. We will provide you with new contracts/agreements in the next 6 months.
• Under the new law, you will be known as 'contract-holders'. We will replace tenancy agreements with 'occupation contracts’.
• For 'contract-holders' (you) this will mean.
  • Receiving a written contract setting out your rights and responsibilities.
  • 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.

How will it affect you?

• You will receive a replacement occupation contract within 6 months of the 1 December.
• New tenants after the 1 December will sign the new occupational contract in the usual way and will receive a copy within 14 days.
• The occupational contract will be set out in a ‘written statement’. This statement will confirm the terms of the contract and contain all the required contractual terms as provided by the Welsh Government. These are:
  • Key matters: For example, the names of the landlord and contract-holder and address of the property. These must be inserted in every contract.
  • Fundamental Terms: Covers the most important aspects of the contract, including how we gets possession and our obligations regarding repairs.
  • Supplementary Terms: Talks about the more practical, day to day matters applying to the occupation contract. For example, the requirement to notify us if the property is going to be left unoccupied for four weeks or more.
  • Additional Terms: Addresses any other specifically agreed matters, for example a term, which relates to the keeping of pets.

Will I still be a tenant under the RHA?

Yes, you will still be a tenant. Your tenancy agreement will be known as an occupation contract.

What happens to my existing tenancy agreement after 1 December?

Our current tenancy agreements will convert into an ‘occupation contract’, which will replace the tenancy agreement. Many of our existing terms will stay the same but some things will change e.g., we need to give you more notice of a rent increase.

Will these changes affect my rent?

No, this has no effect on your rent or cost you any money.

What do you need to do?

When you get your new Occupation Contract, you will need to read it, and make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities.

These changes are supported by tenant organisations such as TPAS Cymru and in partnership Shelter Cymru.

For more information and some frequently asked questions created by the Welsh Government, visit https://gov.wales/renting-homes-frequently-asked-questions-tenants