THE RENTERS’ RIGHT ACT: WHAT LANDLORDS NEED TO KNOW
What’s Changing in England?
The Act introduces sweeping changes for landlords in England, including:
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The end of fixed-term tenancies
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The abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions
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New rules around rent increases during a tenancy
However, housing is a devolved matter in Wales, and most rental legislation here is governed by the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2022.
What does this mean for Wales?
Rather than creating new legislation, the Welsh Government has chosen to adopt certain elements of the Renter’s Rights Act. The main change that affects Welsh landlords relates to non-discrimination in the private rented sector.
What Happens Next?
The Welsh Government will announce when this new provision comes into effect – this known as the commencement date.
Once that date is confirmed, landlords will need to:
1. Update the fundamental terms of their occupation contracts
2. Provide tenants with revised written statements or statements of variation within 14 days.
The exact wording for these updates will be provided by the Welsh Government in due course.
What You Need to Know
It will soon be unlawful for landlords or letting agents in Wales to discriminate against potential tenants who:
- Receive benefits
- Have children
This means landlords must not:
- Discourage these groups from enquiring about a property
- Restrict access to viewings or property details
- Refuse to enter into a tenancy based solely on these factors
That said, landlords can still assess whether a property is suitable for a tenant’s individual circumstances. For example, it would be reasonable to decline a family’s application for a single room in a shared HMO if the accommodation is clearly unsuitable.
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