Update:

The implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 has been push back to 1st December 2022.

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Is the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 in Force? The date when everything changes for landlords in Wales is 15^th July 2022, well the most critical things do! The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, which is the biggest change to housing law in Wales for decades, means that the Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) that have been in use since 1988 will no longer exist and new Occupier Contracts must be used.

From that date the requirement to ensure that homes are fit for human habitation (FFHH) becomes law with a whole raft of items that Landlords must comply with. The Renting Homes (Amended) (Wales) Act 2021 also introduces a minimum of 6 months’ notice, there are a few special exceptions such as for Police & Fire Service Occupancies etc.

From the 15th July 2022 landlords will be not able to give notice if they have not compiled with issuing to the tenant (now newly defined as contract holders) a list of mandatory written statements and documents, breached security and deposit requirements or has taken a prohibited payment.

From that date section 8 (Rent Arrears) and Section 21 (No fault) are no longer available for landlords to issue to tenants. The term ‘Tenancy’ is being replaced with ‘Occupational Contract’ and new notices (Sections 173 and 186) become the only method of serving notice.

You can find all the details of the act here and an overview of the changes we have put together here. 

With so many changes at once it can be quite a minefield, if you need any help or advice don't hesitate to get in touch. 

Thanks for reading, Martin. 

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