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.

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.

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.

• 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.

The implementation of the Act itself does not automatically mean that your rent will go up, your rent will still only increase in line with the terms of your tenancy agreement/occupation contract and the Social Rent Policy, as set by the Welsh Government.

The only thing you will need to do is read your occupation contract and familiarise yourself with your rights and responsibilities, when it is sent to you. As above, you will be offered an opportunity to discuss the contents of your occupation contract with us after the implementation of the Act.

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

This is a change that is happening by law, brought about by the Welsh Government which we have to undertake. Ultimately the changes will be beneficial to contract holders. In the meantime, we will continue to carry out the rest of our services, as usual.

Yes, you will need to familiarise yourself with your rights and responsibilities and we will be out and about knocking on doors  by the summer 2023 for your signature. Look out for notification on our website and social media for a date closer to the time. However if you have any questions before that please contact the office and ask for your community housing partner. 

No, you do not need to reapply, this will stay the same until you inform us that this needs to change. We will be aiming to collect a signature from both yourself and the joint tenant as part of the change.

Yes, there is no need for you to worry. You will still be able to live in your home.

We refer to you as our customers so there will be no change there, but for your contract you will be known as a contract holder. If any legal proceedings were to take place,  you would be referred to as contract holder then also.

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.

If you contact the office and ask for your community housing partner they will be able to send you a copy of your current tenancy agreement.