Renting Homes (Wales) Act

From 1st December 2022 the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 will change the way all landlords in Wales rent their properties – including ateb.

It will improve how we rent, manage, and live in rented homes in Wales.

Visit our FAQ page to find out how the changes affect you. The one thing we want to make clear – there is nothing to worry about.

Check out this easy read leaflet or read below for further information.

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All ateb customers will see some changes:

ateb will need to:

Under the new law, tenants and licensees will become ‘contract-holders’. Tenancy agreements will be replaced with ‘occupation contracts’.

The new law will make renting easier and provide greater security.

For contract-holders this will mean:

receiving a written contract setting out your rights and responsibilities
an increase in the ‘no fault’ notice period from two to six months
greater protection from eviction
improved succession rights, these set out who has a right to continue to live in a dwelling, for example after the current tenant dies
more flexible arrangements for joint contract-holders, making it easier to add or remove others to an occupation contract

For landlords this will mean:

A simpler system, with two types of contract: ‘Secure’ for the social rented sector and ‘Standard’ for the private rented sector.
Ensuring homes are fit for human habitation (FFHH). This will include, electrical safety testing and ensuring working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted.
Abandoned properties can be repossessed without needing a court order.

We want this transition to be as smooth as possible for everyone, and it is important you know what the changes mean for you.

Between now and December we will regularly update you on the changes that you can expect.

Find out more now about how the new law will affect you.