https://simply-docs.co.uk/Tenancy-Agreements-and-Licences/Tenancy-Agreement-Guarantee

New Anti-Discrimination Rules for Occupation Contracts in Wales from 01 June 2026

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and the Renting Homes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 introduce important new anti-discrimination protections for residential contract-holders in Wales.

These changes will affect private residential landlords and letting agents operating under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and come into force on 01 June 2026.

Important Legislative Changes

From 01 June 2026, most:

• secure occupation contracts; 
• periodic standard occupation contracts; and 
• fixed term standard occupation contracts 

will automatically include new fundamental terms preventing discrimination against contract-holders:

• with children; or 
• who are in receipt of welfare benefits. 

The new provisions restrict landlords from:

• prohibiting children from residing in or visiting a dwelling; or 
• refusing occupation solely because a person receives welfare benefits, 

unless the restriction is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. Examples may include statutory overcrowding concerns or limited exceptions linked to existing insurance arrangements.

What Landlords and Letting Agents Must Do

Where these new provisions apply to an existing occupation contract, landlords must provide the contract-holder with either:

• a written statement of the new terms; or 
• an updated written statement of the occupation contract as varied. 

This documentation must be provided within 14 days of the variation taking effect.

In practice, landlords and agents should ensure that all required documentation is issued before 14 June 2026.

Risks of Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with the updated requirements may result in:

• breach of statutory obligations under Welsh housing legislation; 
• restrictions on possession proceedings; 
• regulatory enforcement action; and 
• potential compensation claims by contract-holders. 

New and Updated Documents Available

Occupation Contract Variation Notice Wales is designed for use by private residential landlords and letting agents in Wales to notify contract-holders of new anti-discrimination provisions introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and the Renting Homes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026.

The document assists landlords in complying with their obligations under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 by formally updating existing occupation contracts and written statements to include the new fundamental terms which take effect from 01 June 2026.

We are currently reviewing and updating our Welsh residential occupation contracts to reflect the legislative changes and these will be available from 01 June 2026. 

Further Guidance

Detailed guidance regarding the amendments is available from the Welsh Government and should be considered alongside existing occupation contract obligations under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.