Short answer

Yes, in part these rules apply in Wales. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is mostly England-only, but its anti-discrimination rules have applied in Wales since 1 June 2026. Landlords and agents must not refuse contract holders because they have children or claim benefits, and two new fundamental terms are added to most occupation contracts.

Does the Renters' Rights Act 2025 apply in Wales?

Mostly no, but its anti-discrimination provisions do. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (RRA) is largely an England-only piece of legislation, but the anti-discrimination rules came into force in Wales on 1 June 2026 and sit alongside the existing Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (RHA) framework of occupation contracts.

This means landlords and agents operating in Wales must comply with both regimes: the RHA continues to govern occupation contracts generally, while the RRA now adds specific protections for prospective and existing contract holders with children or in receipt of welfare benefits.

What has changed for landlords and agents in Wales?

Two things have changed. First, there is a new criminal offence for landlords and agents who discriminate against prospective contract holders because they have children or receive welfare benefits. Second, two new automatic contractual terms apply to most occupation contracts, giving contract holders the right to have children at the property and to claim benefits.

• Criminal offence: blanket 'no children', 'no DSS' or 'no benefits' policies are now unlawful, whether applied by landlords or agents.
• Automatic terms: the new terms are implied into most occupation contracts without any action by the parties.

What are the two new automatic terms?

Children - Section 54A of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

The children term allows contract holders to permit people under 18 to live in or visit the property. A landlord may only interfere with or restrict this right where the restriction is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim, such as preventing overcrowding.

Benefits - Section 54B of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

The benefits term prevents landlords from prohibiting a contract-holder from being a benefits claimant. It applies to secure, fixed-term standard and periodic standard occupation contracts, subject to a limited exception for certain existing insurance contracts.

Is there an insurance exception?

Yes, a temporary one. If you or a superior landlord has an existing insurance policy pre-dating 1 June 2026 that requires restrictions on children or benefits claimants, the new terms will not apply until that policy expires. You cannot, however, enter into or extend any such insurance contract on or after 1 June 2026.

Landlords relying on this exception should diarise the policy expiry date, because the new terms take effect when the policy lapses and an updated written statement must follow promptly.

What do landlords and agents in Wales need to do now?

Update existing occupation contracts by sending contract holders an updated written statement or notice of variation by 14 June 2026, include the new terms in written statements for contracts made from 1 June 2026, remove blanket restrictions on children or benefits claimants from all advertising, and diarise any qualifying insurance policy expiry dates.

These steps apply to both landlords and letting agents. Because discrimination against prospective contract holders on these grounds is now a criminal offence, listings and letting policies should be reviewed immediately rather than waiting for a contract renewal.

Frequently asked questions

Is it a criminal offence to advertise No DSS in Wales?

Yes. Since 1 June 2026, landlords and letting agents in Wales who discriminate against prospective contract holders because they have children or receive benefits, including through adverts or blanket policies, can commit an offence. Remove any such wording from listings, websites and letting criteria.

Can a landlord in Wales still check affordability?

Yes. You can still assess whether a prospective contract holder can afford the rent, but you must treat benefit income in the same way as other income and must not apply a blanket rule excluding people who claim benefits. Decisions should be based on individual circumstances.

What was the deadline for updating written statements?

Landlords had to give existing contract holders a written statement, or notice of the variation, reflecting the new fundamental terms no later than 14 June 2026, which was 14 days after the provisions came into force. New contracts made from 1 June 2026 must include the terms from the start.

Do the rest of the Renters' Rights Act changes apply in Wales?

No. Changes such as the abolition of section 21 and the new assured periodic tenancies apply to England. Welsh tenancies remain governed by the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and its occupation contracts, with the anti-discrimination provisions layered on top.

Can a landlord limit the number of children because of overcrowding?

Possibly. Under the children term, a landlord can restrict children living at or visiting the property only where the restriction is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim, such as preventing statutory overcrowding. A general preference for no children is not enough.

Ask Libra

• Do the Renters' Rights Act discrimination rules apply to my let in Wales?
• Can a Welsh landlord refuse me because I claim Universal Credit?
• What do I need to send my contract holders about the new terms?
• Can my letting agent say no children in the advert?
• My insurer bans benefit tenants. What should I do?
• Is the section 21 ban in force in Wales?

Sources

• Renters' Rights Act 2025 (legislation.gov.uk)
• The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (Commencement) (Wales) Order 2026 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Renters' Rights Act: steps you need to take (Rent Smart Wales)
• UK Government Renters' Rights Act 2025 (Rent Smart Wales)

This explainer is general information about the law in Wales as at September 2026, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, ask Libra or find a lawyer through Libra.