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On overview of the The Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Act 2021, it's passage through the Senedd and subordinate legislation.

Overview

The Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Act 2021 (the 2021 Act) amends both the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Act 2019 so that people who rent a home in Wales under a standard occupation contract have a minimum of 12 months’ security of occupation. Amongst other things, it:

  • increases the minimum period of notice that must be given by a landlord to end a standard occupation contract under a so-called “no-fault eviction” from 2 months to 6 months
  • applies restrictions on giving particular notices when there has been a breach of certain statutory requirements
  • restricts the circumstances in which a periodic standard contract can be varied by the landlord
  • severs the connection between giving notice to vary the contract, and giving notice seeking possession.

The Act also amends the 2019 Act so that, in certain circumstances, the payment of a service charge, and payment for a replacement written statement of an occupation contract, are permitted payments for the purposes of the 2019 Act.

The Explanatory Notes to the 2021 Act provide detailed commentary on the various provisions.

Read the full 2021 Act:

Coming into force

Sections 15, 17, 19 and 20 came into force on 8 April 2021 which is the day after the Act received Royal Assent, in accordance with section 19(1):

Sections 19(2) and (3) of the 2021 Act provide that remaining provisions come into force when one or more orders are made by the Welsh Ministers. The following order has been made:

Subordinate legislation made under the Act

Consideration of the legislation by the Senedd

The Bill was introduced by Julie James MS (the then) Minister for Housing and Local Government on 10 February 2020 and passed by Senedd Cymru on 23 February 2021.

More information about the Bill and it's passage through the Senedd on senedd.wales.

The Explanatory Memorandum that was prepared by the Welsh Government (on introduction of the Bill):

The Act received Royal Assent on 7 April 2021.