Education briefing - All change for Welsh student accommodation contracts

 

After much anticipation, the Welsh Government has announced that the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 will be coming into force on 15 July 2022.

The 2016 Act will bring in major changes for student accommodation providers in Wales, with new “standard” occupation contracts replacing the previous regimes of Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) and licences. The changes will affect both education institutions and private student accommodation providers alike.

The implementation of the 2016 Act follows a series of consultations, including on the model terms for occupation contracts. The consultation on the model terms received a mixed response, with specific concerns being raised about how these terms will translate into student accommodation contracts. The Welsh Government have committed to providing further guidance and explanatory material in due course.

Both educational institutions and private student accommodation providers who currently grant tenancies or licences of residential accommodation in Wales should review their portfolios and standard documentation to ensure it complies with the new Welsh rules and contains all of the fundamental terms required under the legislation.

So what are they key points for institutions to note:

• A new regime of residential accommodation contract is coming into force in Wales from 15 July 2022.

• This regime will apply to both education institutions and private providers of student accommodation.

• Institutions and private providers will need to review and redraft their standard suites of student accommodation contracts to ensure they will be in compliance with the new requirements of the Welsh legislation.

• Further guidance is awaited from the Welsh Government.