Renting Homes (Wales) Act Occupation Contracts

The Law Commission’s latest proposals aim to make business tenancy renewals clearer, quicker, and better suited to the modern commercial property market. While we welcome most of the proposed changes, we have highlighted important caveats where caution is needed to prevent a rise in disputes and to ensure that all parties have adequate protections.

The number of registered rental properties and landlords is declining, while a small group of larger landlords controls a growing share of the market, according to data from Rent Smart Wales. The national figures also mask sharp differences between Cardiff, Swansea, and the rest of Wales.

The legislation gained Royal Assent on 27 October 2025. Implementation will be staged via secondary legislation, and the UK Government has stated it will allow time for a smooth transition and engage the sector on commencement dates. Propertymark has hit the ground running, with training, events, and downloadable resources to support the sector through the most significant transition in private renting for a generation.

The Welsh Government’s long-awaited evaluation of the licensing and registration body has been published, revealing both progress and persistent gaps in effectiveness – including a notable proportion of unregistered or unlicensed landlords. Propertymark welcomes this renewed scrutiny that aligns with our consistent call for increased transparency, more robust enforcement, and improvement of engagement with property professionals and tenants.