Landlord Guidance on Occupation Contracts & Compliance Documents in Wales

This collection of Renting Homes Wales guidance documents has been designed to help private residential landlords, letting agents and property professionals understand their legal obligations when letting residential property in Wales. 

The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 fundamentally changed the legal framework for residential lettings in Wales by replacing traditional tenancy agreements with occupation contracts and written statements. 

What Do These Guidance Notes Cover?

Whether you are preparing a new occupation contracts, dealing with deposits, managing repairs, or understanding landlord obligations under Welsh housing legislation, these guidance notes provide practical assistance and compliance support. 

The guidance documents cover a range of important topics affecting residential landlords and letting agents in Wales, including an overview of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and supporting legislation. 

Understand the requirements relating to standard occupation contracts, secure occupation contracts, written statements, fundamental terms, supplementary terms and additional terms under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.

Understand restrictions on prohibited payments, permitted fees and compliance requirements in Wales. 

Learn about deposit protection requirements, authorised tenancy deposit schemes, prescribed information obligations and landlord responsibilities when holding deposits in Wales.  Additional guidance is available on property inventories. 

Guidance on landlord repairing obligations and compliance with the Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022, including requirements relating to smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, electrical safety and property condition. 

Important Update: Anti- Discrimination Changes from June 2026 

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and the Renting Homes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 introduce new anti-discrimination provisions into The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 with effect from 01 June 2026.  

Landlords in Wales are required to update their standard occupation contracts by formal variation by 14 June 2026, or include the fundamental terms in new standard occupation contracts from 01 June 2026.  A landlord can choose to:

• Update the existing written statement or the occupation contract to incorporate the new fundamental terms and give this to the contract-holder; or 
• Give a written statement of these new terms to their contract-holder making clear where these new terms are to sit within the existing written statement.

A template letter setting out the variation terms is available for download as well as updated occupation contracts with the new incorporated terms.

Why These Documents Are Important

Failure to comply with Welsh housing legislation may result in:

• Possession claims being delayed or rejected;
• Financial penalties;
• Restrictions on serving possession notices; and 
• Enforcement action by local authorities 

These guidance notes help landlords and letting agents understand their obligations and maintain compliant residential letting arrangements in Wales. 

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