What is the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016?

The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 came into effect on 1st December 2022, changing the way all landlords in Wales rent their properties.

The act also sets out the obligations placed on landlords regarding the condition of a property, as set out in The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022.

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
• to 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
• make the necessary updates to their properties and paperwork

What does the new law mean for landlords?

A simpler system, with two types of contract:

• ‘Secure’ for the social rented sector
• ‘Standard’ for the private rented sector

Ensuring homes are fit for human habitation (FFHH). This will include, electrical safety testing and ensuring working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted.

Fitness of homes for human habitation: guidance for landlords

Part 4 of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (The Act) sets outs the obligations placed on a landlord with regard to the condition of a dwelling. These obligations apply to all occupation contracts made for a term of less than seven years. A landlord under an occupation contract is obliged to ensure a dwelling is both in repair and fit for human habitation (FFHH).

Landlord’s obligation to keep the dwelling in repair

Section 92 of the Act sets out the landlord’s obligation to keep the dwelling in repair. This obligation extends to:

• the structure and exterior of the dwelling (including drains, gutters and external pipes), and
• the service installations in the dwelling, such as those:
• for the supply of water, gas or electricity,
• for sanitation, and
• for space heating or for heating water.

For more information, view guidance on the Government website or review other UK standards and regulations.

*Please note: The above summary is based on FireAngel’s interpretation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, always refer to the standard for specific guidance.