From 1 December 2022: The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (RHWA 2016), in force from 1 December 2022, significantly reforms the law relating to residential property lettings and licences in Wales and primarily affects the short-term rental market. It introduces a new form of rental agreement known as an occupation contract.

Subject to certain criteria, residential lettings and licences of premises in Wales granted on or after 1 December 2022 will be occupation contracts under the RHWA 2016 and not ASTs.

Similarly, existing residential lettings and licences in Wales will convert into occupation contracts on 1 December 2022.

For information on standard occupation contracts, including converted contracts, see Practice note, Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016: introduction to standard occupation contracts.

With effect from 1 December 2022, both new occupation contracts, and converted occupation contracts must be terminated in accordance with the RHWA 2016. For more information, see Practice note, Overview of the termination provisions in the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.

Until 30 November 2022: A landlord's notice seeking possession of premises in Wales let on an assured tenancy or assured shorthold tenancy (AST) pursuant to section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 (HA 1988). This is in the prescribed form as set out in Form 3 of Schedule 1 to the Assured Tenancies and Agricultural Occupancies (Forms) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/194).

This notice is for use in Wales only.

The notice should be served in duplicate and the tenant asked to sign and return the duplicate as acknowledgement of receipt. The Word version of this document includes a duplicate copy with this provision and as a result, this document is not available in Practical Law Firmstyle.

Note updated 30 March 2022: The guidance in this resource should be read in light of the Coronavirus Act 2020, and associated legislation and procedural measures, which are covered in detail in our Practice note, COVID-19: Coronavirus Act 2020 and the implications for recovering possession.