Unlike the United States where disclosures are often minimal, renting property in Wales requires the landlord to provide a highly prescriptive packet of documents to the tenant (the contract-holder) before or immediately after they move in.

Failing to provide any of these required disclosures doesn't just result in fines—it legally strips the landlord of their ability to evict the contract-holder or charge rent.

1. The Written Statement (The Occupation Contract)

Under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, there is no more ambiguity about what a contract says. The landlord must provide the contract-holder with a "Written Statement" of the occupation contract.

• The 14-Day Deadline: This Written Statement must be provided within 14 days of the contract-holder moving into the property.
• Statutory Terms: The Written Statement cannot be entirely customized. It must contain "Key Matters" (names, address, rent amount), "Fundamental Terms" (the core legal rights which mostly cannot be changed), "Supplementary Terms" (practical matters like notifying the landlord of emptiness), and "Additional Terms" (custom rules like pet policies).
• Penalty: If the landlord is late providing the Written Statement, they can be penalized up to two months' rent.

2. Fitness for Human Habitation (FFHH) Disclosures

Wales is incredibly strict regarding property safety. For a property to be legally deemed Fit for Human Habitation, the landlord must provide the following documents to the contract-holder within 14 days of move-in:

Gas Safety Certificate

If there is a gas supply, an annual check must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The valid certificate must be provided to the contract-holder.

Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

The landlord must have a qualified electrician test the electrical installation at least once every 5 years. A copy of the valid EICR must be provided to the contract-holder within 14 days of their occupation, and within 14 days of any subsequent inspection.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

While not a paper disclosure, the landlord is legally mandated to ensure there is a functioning, hard-wired (or specially sealed battery) smoke alarm on every floor, and a carbon monoxide alarm in every room containing a gas, oil, or solid fuel burning appliance.

If any of the FFHH checks are not completed and disclosed, the property is deemed unfit, the contract-holder is legally not required to pay rent, and the landlord cannot serve an eviction notice.

3. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Before marketing the property, the landlord must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated 'E' or above (with regulations expected to tighten to a 'C' rating requirement in the coming years). The EPC must be provided to the prospective contract-holder free of charge at the earliest opportunity.

4. Deposit Prescribed Information

If a security deposit is taken, it must be protected in a registered scheme. The landlord must provide the contract-holder with the Prescribed Information outlining where the money is held and how the scheme works within 30 days of receiving the deposit. (See our Security DepositsPregled nije dostupan guide).

5. Landlord Identity and Rent Smart Wales

The Written Statement must contain the legal name and contact address of the landlord. Furthermore, the landlord is legally required to be registered with Rent Smart Wales. Prospective contract-holders can search the public register to verify their landlord's compliance before signing a contract.

Back to Wales Residential Landlord-Tenant Laws OverviewPregled nije dostupan.