Wales: NRLA releases standard occupation contract ahead of law change next week
The NRLA has today released an enhanced and improved Standard Occupation Contract for use by landlords in Wales (V1.2FSOC).
The new document works as an all-in-one contract, setting out the terms for both the initial fixed term and any periodic contract that follows on from this.
Occupation contracts are the new type of agreement in Wales from 1st December, when the Renting Homes (Wales) Act becomes law. They replace the assured shorthold tenancy.
Unlike the model occupation contracts provided by the Welsh Government, where amendments or edits need to be agreed separately for the fixed term and the periodic contract, the NRLA document lets landlords and contract holders agree to remove or edit certain clauses for as long as the contract holders remain in the property.
This also means that landlords will not need to issue more than one contract, making it easier to comply with the requirements to serve written statements.
Available to NRLA members to download, as part of their annual subscription, the new occupation contract will start as a fixed term and automatically become periodic at the end of the initial term of occupation, without the need of any additional paperwork being signed or presented to the occupier.
This is being heralded as a major improvement for landlords and occupiers alike in Wales, and offers a great deal of surety on protection of all parties in their contract obligations.
We would like to restate our advice that no landlord should sign any occupation contracts until after the implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act on 1st December as they would have no legal standing in law.
Members can download the new NRLA Standard Occupation Contract here.
- The Renting Homes (Wales) Act will introduce widespread changes when it comes into force on 1st December. With just days to go until the law change, register for our webinar on Monday 28th November at 6pm to understand more, and have your questions answered.