Minimum Housing Standards for Renters in Wales

If you’re a renter in Wales, knowing your rights around housing standards can help you ensure your home is safe, secure, and comfortable. The Welsh Government has set clear rules to make sure all privately rented homes meet essential health, safety, and maintenance standards. This guide will explain what those standards are, what to do if your home falls short, and where to seek help if you need it.

What Are the Minimum Housing Standards in Wales?

In Wales, the minimum housing standards are set out in the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 and related regulations, including the "Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022". These laws apply to most private and social renters and aim to make sure your home is safe to live in.

Core Standards Your Home Must Meet

• Structure and Repair: Your home’s structure, including walls, roof, windows, and doors, must be in a good state of repair and not pose a danger.
• Damp and Mould: The property must be free from persistent damp and significant mould.
• Gas and Electrical Safety: Landlords must provide a valid annual gas safety certificate and ensure electrical systems are tested every five years. You can find details about these duties from Welsh Government: Repairs and Maintenance.
• Water Supply: Hot and cold running water must be available, with adequate toilet, bathing, and cooking facilities.
• Heating: There must be a fixed heating appliance in each main living room.
• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Working smoke alarms on each floor and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with a solid fuel burning appliance are required.
• Fire Safety: Reasonable escape routes and fire safety equipment for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Summary: By law, your landlord is responsible for ensuring your home is “fit for human habitation”. If your property doesn’t meet these standards, you have the right to request repairs and improvements.

Key Legal Protections for Renters

The main law regulating rental properties in Wales is the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.¹ This legislation brought in new occupation contracts, clearer responsibilities for landlords and tenants, and minimum housing standards requirements.

Your Landlord’s Duties

• Keep the home safe and in good repair at all times
• Make sure gas and electrical safety certificates are provided
• Respond to written repair requests promptly and carry out repairs within a reasonable timeframe

Your Rights as a Renter

• Receive written information about your rights and your occupation contract (fits the new model contracts)
• Live in a home free from health or safety hazards
• Report disrepair without fear of unfair eviction

Read more about the law and your rights on the UK Government official site: Repairs and maintenance in rented housing.

What To Do If Your Home Doesn’t Meet Minimum Standards

If you notice any serious faults—like severe damp, heating breakdowns, unsafe electrics, or leaking roofs—let your landlord or letting agent know in writing as soon as possible. In Wales, it’s important to keep records of all communications and give your landlord a reasonable chance to fix the problem.

How to Report a Problem and Request Repairs

• Write to your landlord outlining the problem, its effect on your health or safety, and ask for repairs. Email or letter is best to create a paper trail.
• If there’s no response within a reasonable time (often 14 days for major problems), you can contact your local council's Environmental Health team. Councils have the power to inspect and order repairs if standards are not met.
• For emergencies, such as no heating in winter or gas leaks, contact your landlord immediately and, if not resolved rapidly, contact the council or relevant emergency service directly.

If you’re unsure about your rights or your landlord does not respond, your local council or Rent Smart Wales can provide advice and can step in to inspect your property.

Relevant Official Forms and Procedures

• Repair Request Form (Local authority form – varies by council): Use your local council’s online form to report housing hazards if your landlord is not responding. For example, Cardiff Council’s Private Housing Complaint Form allows renters to report disrepair and request council action.
  • When to use: If you have already reported the problem in writing to your landlord and nothing has changed within 14 days.
  • How to use: Fill in the details online, attaching photos or evidence if possible. The council may inspect your property and issue an enforcement notice if they find serious hazards.
• Notice of Local Authority Inspection (no set form, the council may issue a formal letter): The council can issue this after inspecting your property and finding faults. This notice tells your landlord what must be fixed, and by when.
  • When to expect: If you’ve asked the council for help and their inspection finds unacceptable hazards or safety risks.

All council forms and processes are listed on your local authority’s official website. Visit Find Your Local Authority for links to report a problem where you live.

If You Need to Escalate: Tribunal and Legal Routes

If problems persist and council enforcement does not result in repairs, you may be able to refer your case to the Residential Property Tribunal Wales (RPTW).²

• The RPTW deals with disputes about housing standards, rent increases, eviction, and more.
• It is independent and will review both your evidence and the landlord’s response.
• You can apply to the Tribunal if you think your landlord is not meeting standards, or to challenge certain council enforcement notices.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do first if my rented home in Wales is in disrepair?
   Write to your landlord or letting agent describing the problem and keep a record of your communication. Give them time to respond before escalating to your local council.
2. What is my landlord legally required to fix under minimum housing standards?
   Landlords must repair structural problems, ensure working heating, keep your property free from damp and mould, maintain safe electrics and gas appliances, and provide adequate water, sanitation, and fire safety.
3. Can my landlord evict me for reporting repairs?
   No. The law protects renters from "retaliatory eviction" if they complain about poor conditions. Landlords cannot evict you simply for asking for repairs.
4. Where do I report my landlord if they still don’t carry out repairs?
   Contact your local council's Environmental Health team. If the problem persists, consider applying to the Residential Property Tribunal Wales.
5. How does Rent Smart Wales fit into this process?
   Rent Smart Wales regulates landlords and agents in Wales, ensuring proper registration and training. They can offer advice and support regarding your housing rights.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• UK Government: Repairs in rented housing
• Official UK Private Renting Advice
• Rent Smart Wales: landlord and tenant guidance, and to check if your landlord is registered
• Residential Property Tribunal Wales: for formal housing disputes
• Find Your Local Authority: to report disrepair or poor conditions to your council

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1. See Section 91: Fitness for human habitation in the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.
2. Residential Property Tribunal Wales (RPTW): Official tribunal for rental housing disputes in Wales.

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