The long-awaited Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 will be brought into force on 15th July 2022. The Act represents the biggest change to housing law in Wales for decades.

Under the Act, contract holders can be added or removed from standard occupation contracts without the need to end one contract and draw up a new one (section 52). This will make managing joint contracts a lot easier and will also help victims of domestic abuse by enabling the perpetrator to be targeted for eviction.

In cases of abandonment, landlords will be able to repossess the abandoned property a lot more easily - without the need for a court order, after serving a four-week warning notice and carrying out investigations to satisfy themselves that the property is indeed abandoned (section 220).

It goes without saying that the requirement for Landlords and Letting Agents to be registered and licenced with Rent Smart Wales, and deposit protection regulations continue to apply as before.

If you require more information, please contact our Lettings team on 01446 771777.