Renting Homes Wales move-in check-list

13th February 2023

Landlords renting in Wales should now all be aware and following Renting Homes Wales legislation that started coming into effect 1st December 2022. Now we are a couple of months into the legislation, we wanted to share a ‘Renting Homes Checklist’ with you, so that you can use this to ensure your properties remain compliant.  There are a number of things you need to organise and keep track of before, throughout, and after a tenant moves in. This list will serve as a helpful reminder of certain aspects of being a landlord that you should pay attention to in order to create the best possible experience for both you and your tenant as well as following the welsh legislation. 

       1.Written Statement

A written statement must be served within 14 days of the contract start date. A written statement must include the names of the parties, the key matters, fundamental terms, supplementary terms, additional terms as well as explanatory information including any prescribed information. A written statement is essentially ‘the contract pack’ you will need to issue to a new tenant. You have until 31st May 2023 to serve this to existing tenants.

      2. Gas Safety

You must issue a copy of the gas safety to the contract holder prior to them moving into the property. This must be a passed certification and in date. This is to be renewed and reissued every 12 months.

      3. Electrical Installation Condition Report

You must issue a copy of the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) to the contract holder prior to them moving into the property. If you do any works following an EICR you must also provide copies of this work to the contract holders.

     4. Electrical Performance Certificate

You must issue a copy of the Electrical Performance Certificate (EPC) to the contract holder prior to them moving into the property. The EPC rating must be E or higher, if not, landlords must make improvements to the property and get the property reassessed so it achieves the minimum rating standards. The minimum standard rating is likely to raise to a C in 2025, so ensure works are being carried out to work towards this objective.

     5. RHW2

Renting Homes Wales Notice 2 is a notice of the landlord’s address, which must also be provided when a contract holder moves in. We would recommend that this is issued at the same time as the written statement and certification. The managing agent’s address can be on the form if you use an agent.

     6. Privacy Notice

You must issue a privacy notice in line with Data Protection legislation to ensure you have notified your contract holders how you hold and process their personal data. Alternatively your managing agent will provide this on your behalf as they become the data processors.

    7. Inventory and Schedule of Condition

These are now compulsory for landlords to provide, and are ultimately there to protect both landlords and tenants. This should be checked and signed within 7 days of moving in and then this document is what should be used upon exiting a property.

   8. Deposit Protection and Prescribed Information

Deposit protection schemes have been in place and enforced since 2006, but ensure this is part of your checklist! It is also essential that you issue the relevant prescribed information, which will depend on the scheme you (or your agent) use.

   9.Confirmation of Smoke Alarms

Landlords need to provide confirmation (proof) that there are mains wired, interlinked smoke alarms on every floor in working order. We would suggest incorporating these into inventories with evidence that these are in place and have been tested. Incorporating photographs into this could also be useful.

  10. Confirmation of Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Landlords need to provide confirmation (proof) that there are carbon monoxide alarms fitted in every room with a fuel burning source and in working order. We would suggest incorporating these into inventories with evidence that these are in place and have been tested. Incorporating photographs into this could also be useful.

If you are a landlord looking to appoint a managing agent in order to comply with the Renting Homes Wales legislation, don’t hesitate to contact us. Additionally, our Managing Director chairs the bi-monthly Cardiff Landlord Forum, find out more about these informative events here.

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