New Rental Law in Wales: Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Act 2021
The Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Act 2021 is expected to come into force in July 2022. This Act amends the previous 2016 Act and makes changes to the minimum notice periods for the rental sector in Wales.
Security of tenure for residential tenants in Wales will be increased. The new Act will extend the minimum notice period from two to six months. Previously, under section 173 of the 2016 Act, the minimum notice period to evict tenants was two months. The new Act will introduce new laws which will require landlords to give tenants a minimum of six months’ notice.
Landlords will also have restrictions stating when notice can be served. Notice cannot be served until after six months since the start of the tenancy. This was previously set at four months. Altogether, occupiers in Wales will be able to spend 12 months in a property before a landlord can regain possession.
The aim of amending the 2016 Act is to ensure that residential tenants are given a minimum of 12 months’ protection against eviction, provided they have not breached any terms of their tenancy agreement. Occupiers are entitled to give 4 weeks’ written notice to end their contract.
In summary the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Act 2021 will make the following amendments:
- Extend the minimum notice period from two months to six months;
- Landlords cannot serve notice before six months from the start of the agreement;
- A minimum 12-month contract.
We would advise both landlords and agents to prepare for these changes well in advance of July, which is when we can expect to see them come into force.
Published 4 April 2022
