From July this year there will be the biggest change to housing law in Wales for decades. This will come into force on 15th July 2022, and it will change the way all landlords in Wales rent their properties. According to the Government, it will improve how we rent, manage, and live in rented homes in Wales
Who is affected by the new law?
All social and private tenants will see some changes in the way their contracts are provided, in the way their homes are maintained and how they communicate with their landlords. All social and private landlords, including those who rent their properties through management companies or agents, will need to comply with the new law and make the required updates to their properties and paperwork.
What does the new law mean for me?
If you are a tenant
According to the Government, the new law will make renting easier and provide greater security. Under the new law, tenants and licensees will become 'contract-holders'. Tenancy agreements will be replaced with 'occupation contracts'.
For contract-holders this will mean receiving a written contract setting out your rights and responsibilities; an increase in the ‘no fault’ notice period from two to six months; greater protection from eviction; improved succession rights, these set out who has a right to continue to live in a dwelling, for example after the current tenant dies and more flexible arrangements for joint contract-holders, making it easier to add or remove others to an occupation contract.
If you are a landlord
For landlords this will mean a simpler system, with two types of contract: ‘secure’ for the social rented sector and ‘standard’ for the private rented sector. It will mean that landlords must ensure that their rental properties are fit for human habitation (FFHH). This will include electrical safety testing and ensuring working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted. It will also mean that abandoned properties can be repossessed without needing a court order.
What should I do next?
The Government states that it wants this transition to be as smooth as possible for everyone so, whether you’re a landlord or a tenant, it is important you know what the changes mean for you.
For more information please see: https://gov.wales/housing-law-changing-renting-homes. If you require legal advice, please contact us either at our Llandudno office on 01492 874774 or Conwy office on 10492 596596 thank you.
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