Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (‘the Act’) brought about huge changes for Welsh housing law. The changes are intended to provide a higher standard of properties within the private rented sector and place an obligation on landlords to keep the structures and interiors of their properties in a good state of repair and fit for human habitation. 

The Act’s key provisions for tenants include:

• receiving a written occupation contract setting out their rights and responsibilities,
• an increase in the ‘no fault’ notice period from two to six months,
• greater protection from eviction,
• improved succession rights, setting out who has a right to continue to live in a dwelling, for example after the current tenant dies,
• more flexible arrangements for joint contract-holders, making it easier to add others to an occupation contract or remove them from it.

The key provisions for landlords include:

• a simpler system, with two types of contract: ‘secure’ for the social rented sector and ‘standard’ for the private rented sector,
• ensuring homes are fit for human habitation (FFHH). This includes electrical safety testing and ensuring working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted,
• abandoned properties can be repossessed without needing a court order.

Detailed commentary on the various provisions can be found in the Explanatory Notes to the Act.

Coming into force 

In accordance with section 257(1), Part 11 of the Act came into force on 19 January 2016, which is the day after the Act received Royal Assent. The remaining provisions of the Act come into force on a day appointed by the Welsh Ministers in an order made by statutory instrument. The following orders have been made:

•    The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2016 
•    The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (Commencement No. 2 and Consequential Amendments) Order 2022

Subordinate legislation made under the Act

Consideration of the legislation by the Senedd 

The Bill was introduced on 9 February 2015 by Lesley Griffiths MS, who was the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty at the time. It was passed on 17 November 2015.

More information about the Bill is available on the Senedd’s website, including a record of the passage of the Bill through the Senedd and the Explanatory Memorandum that was prepared by the Welsh Government (as amended at Stage 2).

The Act received Royal Assent on 18 January 2016.

Related articles and information: 

•    Housing law is changing: Renting Homes Wales | GOV.WALES
•    Renting Homes Act and regulations | GOV.WALES
•    Guidance for landlords on the effect of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (Amendment of Schedule 12) Regulations 2023 [HTML] | GOV.WALES
•    Renting homes: frequently asked questions (landlords) | GOV.WALES
•    Renting Homes: checklist for landlords and tenants [HTML] | GOV.WALES
•    Senedd Research Briefing - Renting Homes (Wales) Bill - Bill Summary