Welsh landlords must update contracts by June 2026

Welsh landlords have been urged to prepare ahead of a new law change under the Renters’ Rights Act or face financial consequences.

From 1 June 2026, it will become unlawful for landlords in Wales to discriminate against tenants who have children or receive benefits.

However, Propertymark has warned the new rules could create additional administrative pressure on landlords.

Landlords must not discriminate

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, Welsh landlords and letting agents must not discriminate against tenants because they have children or receive benefits.

Prospective tenants cannot be refused the opportunity to enquire about or view a property, access information about it, enter into an occupation contract, receive benefits during the occupation, or have a child live at or visit the dwelling.

Under the new rules, all landlords in Wales must update their standard occupation contract by 14 June 2026 or include the new fundamental terms in any new standard occupation contracts issued from 1 June 2026.

In Wales, standard occupation contracts replaced tenancy agreements in the private rented sector.

Tim Thomas, senior policy and campaigns officer at Propertymark, told Property118 that while the industry body welcomes the changes, it warns they could place additional pressure on landlords and letting agents.

He told Property118: “Due to changes associated with the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords and letting agents in Wales will be prohibited from ever discriminating against prospective tenants simply because they receive benefits or have children. Discrimination has no place in the rental sector, and professional agents are committed to supporting fair access to housing.

“However, these changes may create additional administrative pressures for landlords and agents, particularly given the requirement to update existing occupation contracts or issue statements of variation within relatively short timescales.

“Propertymark continue to work closely with the sector to ensure a smooth and timely transition heading towards 1 June 2026. For many agents who manage large portfolios of properties, ensuring all documentation is updated accurately and in full accordance with new expectation may prove a significant operational challenge.”

Pause further changes

Mr Thomas has urged the Welsh Government to pause further legislative changes for landlords and letting agents to allow time for the current reforms to take effect.

He said: “We have also heard concerns from agents regarding delays and functionality issues with some content management systems and management platforms, which are used by letting agents to administer tenancy documents, contracts, compliance records, and communications with landlords and tenants.

“We note that the new Welsh government is also considering further reforms to the private rented sector, including proposals very similar to provisions contained within the Renters’ Rights Act in England, such as ending so-called ‘no fault’ evictions and restricting rental bidding wars.

“Propertymark is calling for a pause on additional legislative changes to allow the current reforms to bed in properly. Where further changes are necessary, they ideally should be implemented together as part of a coordinated package of reforms, rather than introduced incrementally, to give landlords, agents, and tenants greater clarity and stability.”

Could face financial consequences

Rent Smart Wales, which requires landlords to register rental properties, has said landlords can either update the existing written statement of the occupation contract to include the new fundamental terms and provide this to the contract-holder, or issue a separate written statement setting out the new terms and explaining where they fit within the existing contract.

However, Rent Smart Wales has warned landlords they could face financial penalties or criminal proceedings if they fail to comply with the new rules by the deadline.

On its website, it says: “Whichever option a landlord decides upon, a written statement must be given to the contract-holder no later than 14 June 2026.

“As a landlord, you should familiarise yourself with the new requirements and take action to make sure you comply. If landlords don’t comply with the law, there may be financial consequences or criminal proceedings.”

The Welsh government has provided an example written notice of variation in its Renters’ Rights Act guidance, and written statements of occupation contracts issued by the Welsh government will be updated to include the new fundamental terms from 1 June 2026.