The implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 has been push back to 1st December 2022.
The Welsh Government has announced that after a six year wait they are implementing more aspects of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.
Here are some of the changes that will effect you and your properties;
Fitness for Human Habitation (FFHH)
A landlord must ensure the property is fit for human habitation at the outset and during the occupation contract. The legislation introduces a number of new safety responsibilities under the FFHH requirements.
Battery powered smoke and fire alarms will no longer be sufficient.
Properties must have hard wired, interlinked systems with detectors on each floor.
Landlords have a year to comply
(15/07/2023)
A satisfactory electrical safety certificate will become mandatory.
Landlords have a year to comply
(15/07/2023)
A Carbon Monoxide Alarm is required in every room where there is a flame.
Oil, gas, and wood burning appliances are all included.
There is no grace period with carbon monoxide alarms and they must be fitted by 15/07/2022
This legislation fundamentally changes how landlords operate in Wales, all tenancies will be replaced by ‘occupation contracts’ including new required terms and rules around repossession.
These will be converted to occupation contracts and must be provided with a new occupation contract no later than 14th January 2023.
Currently where one tenant wants to be removed, it ends the agreement for all parties, meaning everyone leaves or a new agreement must be granted.
Under the new system, if one tenant chooses to leave then only they are removed from the contract, and the other tenants can remain on it on the same terms. Similarly, tenants can be added to the agreement mid-contract.
Where the landlord wants to end the contract then both Section 21 and Section 8 notices will no longer be available.
Instead, they are replaced by new notices with different rules about when they can be served. For example, the replacement for Section 21 will require a minimum of six months’ notice and cannot be served in the first six months of the occupation contract.
Where the courts consider that a notice has been served to avoid fulfilling the landlords obligations to repair or maintain the property in a state that is fit for human habitation this may also prevent possession being granted.
A change in favour of landlords, who'd have thought it!?
Section 220 gives landlords the right to recover property which has been abandoned without recourse to the court after 4 weeks if they follow the guidelines.
Previously a costly court order was still required even if a tenant had fled.
Old Colwyn
433 Abergele Road
Old Colwyn
LL29 9PR
United Kingdom
Phone:
Email: oldcolwyn@simplyestates.co.uk
Rhuddlan
Simply Estates
High Street
Rhuddlan
LL18 2TU
United Kingdom
Phone: 01745 590919
Email: info@simplyestates.co.uk; rhuddlan@simplyestates.co.uk
Rhyl
Simply Estates
177 Wellington Road
Rhyl
LL18 1LW
United Kingdom
Phone: 01745 369764
Email: rhyl@simplyestates.co.uk
