Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

In 2016, the Welsh Government passed the Act with the aim of making it simpler and easier for landlords and tenants to rent a home in Wales. It has introduced many changes that apply to both social and private rented sectors.

The Act is intended to ensure that you get consistent service from your landlord, even if you decide to move to another organisation. Your tenancy agreement changed to an ‘occupancy contract’ on 1 December 2022.

Contracts

There are two types of occupation contract:

Standard contract: This is the default contract that will mainly be used in the private rented sector. However, there are circumstances in which we will use standard contracts.
Secure contract: This replaces our assured tenancies and is default for local authorities and registered social landlords like Valleys to Coast (with a few exceptions).

Fitness for human habitation

This includes, for instance, electrical safety testing and ensuring working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted. In addition, rent will not be payable for any period during which the property is not fit for human habitation. However, you should first raise any concerns with your landlord and continue to pay rent. If there is a dispute, it would ultimately be for the Court to decide if your landlord has complied with the fitness obligation, and you may be required to pay back any rent owed.

Welsh Government FFHH guidance

Frequently Asked Questions

What does my new contract look like?

New contracts were issued to all customers during March 2023. They will vary slightly depending on the type of tenancy you have with us.

This is a legal document, so is carefully worded to ensure it is compliant with the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. If you need help understanding the contract please get in touch with us.

See this Valleys to Coast Secure Occupation Contract Example.

The only thing you will need to do is read your occupation contract and familiarise yourself with your rights and responsibilities.

What is the purpose of the Renting Homes Wales Act?

To make it simpler and easier for landlords and tenants to rent a home in Wales. It simplifies agreements and aims to improve the condition of rental homes in Wales, whilst offering greater security and certainty to tenants and landlords.

What does it mean for customers?

All tenants are now called contract holders and tenancies are called occupation contracts.
Fitness for Human Habitation: Landlords must ensure properties are fit for human habitation (FFHH). This includes, for instance, electrical safety testing and ensuring working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted.
If a contract holder dies the people living in the house may have an increased right to succeed to the tenancy. The Act brings advanced succession rights. It enables both a ‘priority’ and a ‘reserve’ succession. Also, a new succession right for carers has been created.
A joint contract holder can be added or removed from the contract without the need to end the contract.
Landlords will be able to repossess abandoned properties without a court order, after serving a four week warning notice and carrying out investigations.

Do I have fewer rights under the Act?

No, you haven’t lost any rights, in fact you have enhanced rights under an occupation contract.

I do not agree with the changes or to the term ‘occupation contract’, what happens now?

The changes and the terminology under the Act to include ‘occupation contract’ have been introduced by the Welsh Government. As such, unfortunately there is nothing that can be done if you do not agree with the changes.

Disclaimer: The above information is generic and not meant to be legal advice. If you have any questions about your specific tenancy/occupation agreement, please contact Valleys to Coast.