Periodic Occupation Contract for Use in Wales

This Periodic Occupation Contract (non-model version) is designed for use by private residential landlords and letting agents in Wales as an alternative to the Welsh Government Model Written Statement.

The template incorporates the mandatory fundamental and supplementary provisions set out under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, together with additional standard and enhanced contractual terms commonly used in professionally drafted residential occupation contracts.

This version is intended to provide landlords and agents with a more comprehensive and practical contractual document than the standard Welsh Government model, while remaining fully compliant with Welsh housing law.

Important Legislative Changes – Renters’ Rights Act 2025

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

From this date, it will become unlawful for landlords or letting agents acting on their behalf to discriminate against applicants or contract-holders because they have children, or they receive welfare benefits.

Landlords and agents must not refuse a person:

• from viewing or enquiring about a property;
• from entering into an occupation contract;
• because they receive benefits during occupation; or
• because a child lives at or visits the dwelling.

From 01 June 2026, new fundamental terms will automatically be incorporated into most:

• fixed term standard occupation contracts;
• periodic standard occupation contracts; and
• secure occupation contracts in Wales.

What Must Welsh Landlords Do?

Landlords in Wales must update existing standard occupation contracts by formal variation before 14 June 2026, or ensure that all new occupation contracts granted from 01 June 2026 contain the new statutory anti-discrimination terms.

Landlords may either:

• update the existing written statement or occupation contract and provide the revised version to the contract-holder; or
• provide the contract-holder with a written statement of the new terms explaining how they integrate into the existing contract.

Updated template notices and occupation contracts incorporating the new terms will be made available for download to assist landlords and agents with compliance in readiness.

Compliance with the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

Where a fundamental or supplementary term of the Model Written Statement has been omitted or modified, the changes are clearly identified within this template as follows:

• Deleted text is shown in strikethrough
• New or amended text is shown in CAPITALS
• Additional provisions are marked with (A)

These annotations must remain in place in the final version of the occupation contract to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

Key Additional Provisions in This Template

• Clause 9A – Main Residence Requirement. The dwelling may only be used as the contract-holder’s only or principal home. This supports landlord rights in cases of abandonment.
• Clauses 12A & 14A – Rights of Entry. Additional provisions setting out enhanced landlord rights to enter the property in specified circumstances.
• Clause 15A – Contract-Holder Responsibilities includes additional obligations relating to upkeep and care of the dwelling, regular testing of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire safety compliance and optional pet provisions (which may be included or removed).
• Clause 15B – Optional clauses imposing additional responsibilities on contract-holders in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
• Clause 26A – Additional obligations relating to the security and safeguarding of the property.
• Clause 38A – End of Contract Provisions

What is a Periodic Occupation Contract?

A periodic occupation contract runs continuously from one rental period to the next (for example weekly or monthly) with no fixed end date. It continues until terminated in accordance with the law or by agreement between the parties.

Further Guidance

Customers should also refer to the Guidance Notes: Standard Occupation Contracts in Wales. 

Why This Template is Useful

This document is designed to:

• support compliance with Welsh housing legislation
• provide clearer and more detailed contractual terms than the model form
• reduce legal and administrative risk for landlords and agents
• improve clarity for contract-holders through plain English drafting

Periodic Occupation Contract (non-model version) is in open format. Either enter the requisite details in the highlighted fields or adjust the wording to suit your purposes.

Once you have purchased access to the appropriate document folder click on the “Download Document” button below. You will be asked what you want to do with the file. It is recommended that you save the document to a location of your choice prior to viewing.

Periodic Occupation Contract for Use in Wales is part of Property. Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Property for 1 year.