Introduction
The deadline for compliance with Renting Homes Wales regulations approaches and we want to ensure that landlords are reminded of their responsibilities. These regulations play a pivotal role in ensuring the rights and well-being of both landlords and tenants, and it is imperative that your properties meet the necessary standards by 1st December 2023. In this article, we will outline the key obligations and why it is essential to meet them.
Key Requirements for Landlords
Part 4 of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 sets outs the obligations placed on a landlord with regard to the condition of a property. These obligations apply to all occupation contracts made for a term of less than seven years.
A landlord under an occupation contract is obliged to ensure a property is both in repair and fit for human habitation (FFHH). Section 92 of the Act sets out the landlord’s obligation to keep the dwelling in repair. This obligation extends to:
· the structure and exterior of the dwelling (including drains, gutters and external pipes), and
· the service installations in the dwelling, such as those:
- for the supply of water, gas or electricity,
- for sanitation, and
- for space heating or for heating water.
Section 91 of the Act also places an obligation on a landlord to ensure that, at the start of and during the length of the occupation contract, the property is FFHH. These obligations are set out in The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022 which set out the 29 matters and circumstances to which regard must be had when determining whether a property is FFHH.
These include the requirement for a valid electrical safety certificate, carbon monoxide alarms in every room with a gas, oil or solid fuel burning appliance, including gas boilers and a mains wired interlinked smoke alarm system.
From 1st December 2022 all properties let to new tenants/ contract holders had to comply with these regulations. From 1st December 2023 all currently let/ existing properties will also need to comply with these regulations.
More information is available at http://gov.wales/fitness-homes-human-habitation-guidance-landlords-html but if you have any questions regarding what this means for you and how Peter Alan can help you please don’t hesitate to contact me directly by email on angela@peteralan.co.uk
If you’re looking for an up to date valuation of your rental property either visit www.peteralan.co.uk/#valuation for an instant online valuation of your property or visit https://www.peteralan.co.uk/pages/request_valuation to request a valuation and we’ll arrange to meet you and discuss how we can help.
