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The Renting Homes (Wales) Act, which has been described as the biggest change in housing law in Wales, has been postponed for nearly 6 months from the original date of 15th July to a new date of December 1st.
The news will be pleasing to landlords who were first made aware of the upcoming changes at the start of this year. In the months that followed January’s initial announcement information and clarity has been limited. Although many landlords will be well on their way to having new fire alarm systems fitted and checked, along with monoxide alarms and electrical condition reports, the news of postponement will come with an element of relief.
It is the changes around new occupational contracts, as they will be known, that have raised most questions. I know from the personal experience of attending professional training courses, local landlord forums and countless webinars in the last 5 months that there are still big questions marks over particular issues, like the transition period form current assured shorthold tenancies to the new occupational contacts and a landlords ability to hold on to current terms such as a two month notice for possession – albeit only for a brief period.
Hopefully the extra time will mean the Welsh Government are able to publish all the regulations in a timely manner that will allow the sector plenty of time to understand and implement the changes.
