Welsh housing legislation has changed significantly in recent years. This page provides a summary of the key Acts and regulations affecting landlords and tenants on Anglesey, and is updated as new legislation is introduced.
Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016
Came into force on 1 December 2022. The biggest change to renting in Wales for over 30 years. Key provisions:
- Most renters are now called contract-holders (not tenants)
- Replaces the old AST and other tenancy types with occupation contracts
- Notice periods for “no fault” eviction extended to 6 months (with at least 6 months from start of contract)
- Stronger requirements around fitness for human habitation
- Compulsory written contracts
Read official Welsh Government guidance »
Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Act 2019
Came into force 1 September 2019. Bans most tenant fees in Wales. Permitted payments are limited to:
- Rent
- Refundable security deposit (capped)
- Refundable holding deposit (capped at 1 week’s rent)
- Default fees (limited – e.g. lost keys, late rent interest)
- Termination charges if requested by the tenant
- Payments for utilities, council tax, broadband, etc. (where not included in rent)
See our Tenant Fees page for the full breakdown.
Housing (Wales) Act 2014 – Rent Smart Wales
All landlords and letting agents in Wales must be licensed by Rent Smart Wales in order to let property in Wales. Operating without a licence is a criminal offence.
Tenancy Deposit Protection
All tenant security deposits must be registered with one of the three government-approved tenancy deposit protection schemes within 30 days of receipt:
- Deposit Protection Service (DPS)
- MyDeposits
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS)
Health and safety obligations
Landlords have specific legal duties to ensure the property is safe and habitable:
- Gas Safety Certificate – annual inspection by a Gas Safe registered engineer
- EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) – valid for 10 years; minimum E rating required
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) – required every 5 years
- Smoke alarms on every storey, carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with solid fuel appliances
- Fitness for Human Habitation – ongoing duty under the 2016 Act
Right to Rent
Although Right to Rent immigration checks are required in England, the position in Wales is different. We carry out identity and right-to-rent checks on all applicants in line with current best practice.