Renting Homes Wales: Pre-Contract Documents

These Renting Homes Wales pre-contract documents are designed to help private landlords and letting agents prepare for a new occupation contract and comply with Welsh housing legislation. Preparing properly before granting an occupation contract is essential for ensuring legal compliance, protecting rental income, and reducing the risk of disputes during the occupation.

This section includes practical pre-tenancy templates, referencing forms, compliance checklists, and tenant information documents for use in connection with residential lettings in Wales.

What These Documents Cover

The templates and guidance documents help landlords and agents:

• Maintain accurate records before the occupation begins
• Record key tenancy and property information;
• Carry out tenant referencing and affordability checks;
• Document agreed tenancy terms;
• Obtain any necessary third party consents before the occupation contract is entered into

The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 introduced significant changes to residential lettings in Wales, including new requirements relating to written statements, occupation contracts, deposits, and landlord obligations. From 1 June 2026, Welsh landlords and agents must also apply the children/benefits discrimination rules to advertising, enquiries, viewings and applicant selection. Assess individual affordability and check statutory exceptions; do not use blanket exclusion policies.

Under Welsh housing legislation, the property inventory requirement is a supplementary term, so check whether it has lawfully been omitted or modified by agreement. Where the prescribed term applies, the landlord must provide the inventory by the written-statement deadline, normally within 14 days starting with the occupation date, and it must include all contents, fixtures and fittings and their condition, even for an unfurnished property. Give the contract-holder the opportunity to comment and handle comments as the term requires. An accurate inventory and photographs also provide useful evidence for any later deposit dispute.

Why Download These Documents 

Using clear and compliant pre-contract documentation helps landlords and agents:

• Demonstrate compliance,
• Reduce legal risk,
• Improve record keeping,
• Streamline tenant onboarding; and
• Support professional property management practices.

All templates are drafted for use in England and Wales residential lettings and are suitable for landlords, agents, and property professionals dealing with Welsh occupation contracts.

Please select from the options below:

Renting Homes Wales: Pre-Contract Documents is part of Property. Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Property for 1 year.