Landlords in Wales now have 14 days to tell their tenants that there has been a variation to the terms of their occupations contract – or risk a rapidly rising daily penalty.

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (Commencement) (Wales) Order 2026 comes into effect today, (1st June), which prohibits discrimination against prospective or existing contract-holders on the basis that they have children (or will have children visiting) or are on benefits.

Existing contract holders need to be given a statement of the altered terms of their occupation contract or a complete new contract with the altered terms inserted.

Meet

Failure to meet the 14-day deadline entitles the contract holder to seek a per day compensation figure until the variation statement is provided, which can be offset against rent, advises property lawyer David Smith.

“Landlords and agents in Wales will also need to update their occupation contracts for new occupancies after 1st June to ensure that new contract holders are given a contract with these new protections incorporated,” he adds.

NRLA

The NRLA advises that the only exceptions are 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.

Meanwhile, the UK government has issued guidance explaining that although most landlords and letting agents must have sent the official information sheet to their tenants by 31st May, those landlords who gave a valid section 21 or section 8 notice to their tenant before 1st May have one month to give their tenant the sheet. This period runs from either the date the notice is no longer valid, or when the court process has finished.

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