I received an email from Rent Smart Wales as follows:
From 1 June 2026 occupation contracts will contain two new fundamental terms. These terms will prevent a landlord discriminating against a contract-holder who is in receipt of benefits or has a child.
These new terms will apply from 1 June 2026 and landlords will be required to update their occupation contracts no later than 14 June 2026.
Guidance on these new terms and updating occupation contracts can be found here: https://www.gov.wales/renting-homes-miscellaneous-amendments-wales-regulations-2026-guidance-landlords
After looking at the link, there are 2 new Fundamental provisions that will apply to Welsh Contracts as a result of the (English) Renters Rights Act; one regarding Right for children to live at or visit dwelling and one regarding Right to claim benefits.
Landlords are required to:
Where the new fundamental terms apply to an existing occupation contract the landlord must give their contract-holder either:
-
a written statement of the term or terms varied, or
-
a written statement of the occupation contract as varied,
before the period of 14 days commencing on the date of the variation. (i.e. by 14/6/26)
My question is, are Open Rent issuing these updates to our tenants in order to ensure our occupation contracts apply with Welsh Law?