RENT SMART WALES UPDATE...LANDLORDS PLEASE READ NOW!
In this article we will explain the changes to the current contracts in Wales, what we are doing for you as landlords and CO (carbon monoxide) detector installation.
Renting Homes Wales 2016 (Update)
Dear Landlords,
Just a quick update regarding the recent changes in legislation for Renting homes in Wales.
As I am sure you are all aware the new legislation starts on the 1st December 2022 and the following changes will come into force:-
Assured Shorthold Tenancies will be replaced by Occupational Contracts.
Any new contracts set up after 1st December 2022 will have to be in the format of the Occupational Contracts and served with the correct prescribed notices. The new contracts have been put in place by the Welsh Government with the intention of giving the tenants more rights regarding the quality of housing and the security of tenure. We have now received our updated versions of the Occupational Contract which have had drawn up on our behalf by Training for Professionals to give all our landlords the maximum protection within the new legislation. We will be replacing all of our managed AST’s with the new Occupational Contracts over the coming weeks to comply with the law.
All new Occupational Contracts sent out after the 1st December 2022 will have a fixed period of six months and will require a six month notice period meaning the minimum rental term will be 12 months. Any converted contracts that have been set up prior to the 1st December 2022 will retain the current two month notice period although the end date for this concession has yet to be determined.
Additional Requirements for Rental Properties in Wales.
In addition to the current requirements of a valid Landlords Gas Safety and Energy Performance Certificates which remain in place the following have also been added:
· A working CO detector must be in every room where there is a fuel burning appliance.
· A satisfactory Electrical Inspection report on each rental property.
· There is a working hard wired smoke detector on each floor of any rental property.
For all converted Occupational Contracts where tenants are in situ there is a 12 month transition period to put the electrical inspections and smoke detectors in place. The CO detectors must be put in place immediately in line with the legislation change.
Other changes include
· Properties must be fit to live in – There will be a stronger link with the FFHH (Fitness for Human Habitation) Regulations 2022.
· Two month notice periods for Rent Increases.
· Contract holders have the right to be added and removed more easily.
· There will be improved succession rights for other occupiers to remain at the property even if the contract holder leaves.
· There will be a greater presumption of “deemed consent” unless a landlord responds with a reasonable objection to the Contract Holders request within a given time frame.
More information on all the changes can be found at:
For all of our managed landlords, we will be installing CO detectors prior to the change in the law on 1St December 2022, there will be a charge of £25 plus VAT PER DETECTOR that is required. We will gather Photographic evidence of this and add them to the relevant Inventory for your property.
Any landlords looking to know more regarding the upcoming changes, replacing their AST’s with Occupational Contracts or upgrading from a “Let Only” to a “Managed Service” please feel free to contact us or click here to book a face to face lettings advice meeting