In 2016 the Senedd passed the Renting Homes (Wales) Act with the aim of making it simpler and easier for landlords and tenants to rent a home in Wales.

It introduces change to tenancy laws and will apply to both social and private rented sectors.

It gives more protection and security to tenants and makes their rights and responsibilities clearer.

Your tenancy agreement will convert into an “occupation contract”. This will replace your tenancy agreement but many of your existing terms will remain the same.  There will be some changes and we will ensure you are made aware of these.

Changes will include areas such as:

• Increase in security with regards to notice periods for possession
• Improved safety of properties
• A fair and consistent approach to anti-social behaviour
• Increase in succession rights
• More flexible arrangements for joint contracts

It will simplify and improve your rights as a tenant.

Yes. You will continue to receive the same service from us.

You can still call yourself a tenant but under Renting Homes you will legally be known as an occupation contract holder.

No. Your right to remain in your property is unaffected.

No. These changes have no impact on your rent, and they will not cost you any money. Rent will continue to increase annually in line with Welsh Government guidelines as it does currently.

The notice period for a rent increase has doubled from one month to two months and there can only be one increase per year. 

No there will be no impact on your benefits if you receive them.

This is the new name for your tenancy agreement. The written statement sets out the terms of your contract. This explains what you can and cannot do, and what we Flintshire County Council, as your landlord, can and cannot do.

Existing tenants will receive the occupation contract within 6 months from the 1st of December 2022 replacing your Tenancy Agreement.

Regardless of when you receive your contract, the Act will apply to everyone from the 1st of December 2022.

No. You do not need to sign the contract or contact us to let us know you have received it.

The written statement is not a new contract, it’s a written statement of the existing terms and conditions of your tenancy agreement, incorporating some additions and/or changes as required by the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.

The only thing you will need to do is read your contract when you receive it and familiarise yourself with your rights and responsibilities. Please keep it safe so that you can refer to it when you need to.

No. your right to live in your home remains the same. However, you could still be evicted if you break the terms of your contract such as serious rent arrears or anti-social behaviour

You must provide us with at least four weeks written notice if you wish to end your contract. The same as now.

Yes. The new law makes it easier to add or remove others to an occupation contract as there will no longer be a need to end one contract and start another.

If you are a joint tenant. You will now be called a joint contract-holder.

Also, it’s now much easier for a person to remove themselves from a contract, without putting the remaining person’s contract at risk.

Yes.  Contract-holders have the right to transfer their secure occupation contract to another person who meets the criteria to qualify. The right is dependent on the landlord, giving permission.

Transfers are permitted in 2 situations:

• Transfer to a potential successor
• Transfer to another secure contract-holder

The new law improves your succession rights. Succession simply means that when you die you can pass on your home to another family member or carer (if they qualify) that live there with you currently.

Your home can be passed on a maximum of two times – first to a priority successor (for example your spouse/partner) and then a reserve successor (for example your adult child or a carer).

Yes. We will continue to help and support you if you have problems with your neighbours.

All occupation contracts will include a term about anti-social behaviour and other prohibited conduct. If a contract-holder breaches this term of the contract, we can take action.

It covers all behaviours which might impact on other people, including excessive noise, verbal abuse, and physical assault.

You still have the same rights to carry our improvements to you home. You will need our written permission to do so before carrying out the work. You may also need planning and building regulation approval.

The new law states that all properties must be safe and fit for human habitation. The aim of these regulations is to ensure all landlords properly maintain properties and that they are safe to live in.

This includes installing hardwired smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and regular electrical safety testing. 

However, if you have any concerns about the condition of your property, please contact us.

Yes, we will still carry out repairs we are responsible for. When you report a repair, we will confirm whether there is a repair, who is responsible, (some repairs are contract-holder's responsibility), and confirm the target time for when the repair or pre-inspection visit will be completed.

The repair will be completed within a reasonable time frame, after being reported directly to our Customer Contact Centre (01352 701660). The Council will also offer an appointment service for particular repair works and aim to provide prior notification. We will also make good any damages caused by our repair works.