Wales Renters’ Rights deadline just days away
Landlords with homes in Wales have until Sunday to inform tenants of new anti-discrimination rules coming in under the Renters’ Rights Act.
While the Renters’ Rights legislation primarily affects tenancies in England, rules banning discrimination against tenants with children or those in receipt of benefits, were introduced in Wales on 1st June.
The new legislation prohibits you from:
- Detering these households from enquiring about a property.
- Refusing or restricting their access to viewings or property information.
- Excluding them from entering into a tenancy.
You now have until 14th June to inform your tenants of the changes by either issuing:
- a statement of variation, or
- a new occupation contract.
We recommend the statement of variation as the most straightforward option, with the document available for download from the NRLA website here.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
If you fail to notify your tenants within the two-week period, you could be liable to pay your contract holder compensation
The fine charged will be equivalent to daily rental rate of your property for each day the document is late - up a maximum of two month's rent. This figure could then be doubled - and interest charged - should the issue get to court.
My insurances prohibits me from letting to tenant on benefits – what do I do?
If you, or your superior landlord, have taken out insurance before 1st June that restricts you from accepting tenants in receipt of benefits, or allowing children to live in or visit the property, any changes to your occupation contract will not apply until the existing insurance product ends.
Once it does, you will need to serve this statement of variation within 14 days.
