As 2025 draws to a close, it is more important than ever for Cardiff landlords to ensure their rental properties meet all legal obligations under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act. Since its full implementation in December 2022, the legislation has significantly reshaped how the private rental sector operates across Wales, introducing new requirements that continue to evolve.
At Martin & Co Cardiff, we work with landlords every day to navigate these changes, protect their investment and maintain strong tenant relationships. Whether you are managing a single property or a growing portfolio, now is the right time to complete your Renting Homes Wales Act landlord update and prepare for 2026 with confidence.
This guide offers a clear, practical end-of-year compliance checklist, helping you meet your duties, avoid penalties, and stay one step ahead of changes affecting Cardiff property compliance 2026.
Why this Renting Homes Wales Act landlord update matters for 2025 and beyond
The Renting Homes (Wales) Act simplified and unified tenancy law, but that does not mean it is simple in practice. Landlords now operate within a more regulated framework that requires consistent documentation, clear communication, and proactive maintenance.
This is not just a legal obligation. It is also about competitiveness. In a city like Cardiff, where demand for quality rental homes remains high, a well-maintained and legally compliant property stands out. According to the Rightmove House Price Index, demand for rental homes in Cardiff has increased by over 10 percent year on year, while Zoopla’s Rental Market Report shows that compliant, energy efficient and well-managed homes are letting faster and at higher rents.
Landlords who meet compliance requirements not only avoid risk. They benefit from longer tenancies, reduced void periods and stronger rental yields.
Cardiff property compliance 2026 and the impact on investment decisions
Looking ahead, more change is coming. While the Renting Homes Act has already brought sweeping reforms, further developments are expected by 2026, including potential updates to energy performance requirements and expanded ‘fitness for human habitation’ standards.
For landlords in Cardiff, this means strategic planning is essential. You need to know:
- How to meet current legal standards
- What changes are likely before 2026
- How compliance affects your yield and asset value
The Cardiff market remains resilient, with buyer demand and rental growth supported by strong local employment and student demand. But compliance is now a fundamental part of investment performance. Properties that fall short risk becoming harder to let or subject to enforcement action.
Checklist part 1: Ensuring your standard occupation contract is correct and up to date
Under the Renting Homes Act, most tenancies in Wales have been replaced by a single legal framework called the standard occupation contract. This applies to both new and existing tenancies.
As a landlord, you must provide your tenant with a written statement of this contract, setting out all the terms in a clear format. This should include:
- Key matters such as the address, rent amount, and names of the parties
- Fundamental terms (required by law)
- Supplementary terms (which can be modified by agreement)
- Any additional terms, such as pet clauses or gardening responsibilities
If your existing tenancies have not been transitioned to this new contract format, or if you are unsure whether your written statements are legally sound, now is the time to act. Failure to issue the correct documents can result in loss of possession rights and fines.
At Martin & Co Cardiff, we can review your tenancy documents and ensure all standard occupation contract requirements are met, reducing your legal exposure as we head into 2026.
Checklist part 2: How to achieve full fit for human habitation Wales standards before year end
The Renting Homes Act includes a clear duty for all landlords to ensure their properties are fit for human habitation. This goes beyond surface condition and covers core safety, security and liveability criteria.
The main areas landlords must review include:
- Damp and mould: Any signs of persistent damp, leaks or condensation must be resolved. Landlords are expected to take proactive steps.
- Electrical safety: A valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) must be in place, renewed every five years.
- Fire safety: Appropriate smoke alarms on every storey and carbon monoxide alarms where required.
- Heating and ventilation: Properties must be adequately heated, especially in colder months, with working windows and airflow.
- Water supply: The property must have safe, continuous access to hot and cold water.
A key principle of the fit for human habitation Wales duty is that landlords should not wait for tenants to report issues. Proactive inspections, especially at the end of the year, are recommended to avoid issues worsening over winter.
We regularly carry out property compliance inspections in Cardiff and can help you plan and prioritise works to meet all FFHH requirements in time.
Checklist part 3: Safety, documentation and renewal dates Cardiff landlords often miss
While most landlords stay on top of core safety tasks, it is easy to miss renewal dates or overlook smaller but equally important documentation requirements.
Here’s a quick reminder of what should be up to date:
- Gas safety certificate: Must be renewed every 12 months and issued to tenants within 28 days
- Electrical safety certificate (EICR): Every five years
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): Currently valid for 10 years, but keep an eye on potential updates to the minimum standard
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: Must be in working order at the start of every tenancy and tested regularly
- Legionella risk assessment: Best practice is every two years, or after changes in occupancy
Keeping these records in one place, ideally digitally, not only supports compliance but also protects you in the event of a dispute or inspection. Letting agents like Martin & Co Cardiff manage all of this on your behalf, giving you peace of mind.
Checklist part 4: Property maintenance and repairs linked to the Renting Homes Wales Act landlord update
The Act introduced clearer responsibilities for repairs and property condition. This includes specific timeframes for responding to issues raised by tenants.
You must:
- Make timely repairs to any part of the property structure or exterior
- Maintain water, gas, electricity and sanitation in safe working order
- Ensure heating and hot water systems are fully functional
- Address pest infestations or environmental hazards promptly
Failure to carry out repairs within a reasonable time can lead to penalties, rent reductions or enforcement notices. Landlords should also keep a written log of all reported issues and response actions.
Regular maintenance – from servicing boilers to inspecting rooflines – helps prevent small problems becoming larger legal or financial risks. We recommend scheduling an end-of-year inspection, especially for properties that are fully tenanted throughout winter.
Checklist part 5: Communication duties and issuing written statements to tenants
A significant part of the Renting Homes Wales Act landlord update is ensuring that tenants receive clear, written information at the right time. This builds trust and avoids miscommunication.
You must provide a written statement:
- Within 14 days of occupation for new tenants
- By the required date for converted contracts (existing tenancies pre-2022)
- Whenever terms of the agreement are changed
You are also responsible for giving proper notice of rent increases, access visits, or changes to your contact details. While many landlords rely on email or informal messages, legal documents should be delivered in writing and saved as part of your tenancy file.
At Martin & Co Cardiff, we handle all contract documentation and tenant communications, ensuring that your legal duties are consistently met.
Preparing for Cardiff property compliance 2026 with the latest Renting Homes Wales Act landlord update
As we approach 2026, more regulatory updates are expected, particularly around energy efficiency, property licensing and digital documentation.
Key areas landlords should monitor include:
- EPC standards: There is ongoing consultation about raising the minimum EPC from E to C for new tenancies. Landlords should plan for insulation, heating and lighting upgrades where necessary.
- Licensing: While Cardiff already requires HMO licences in certain areas, there may be expanded requirements for other property types in future.
- Digital compliance: More processes are moving online. Having digital copies of certificates, statements and correspondence can speed up audits and support enforcement if needed.
Staying ahead of these changes now gives you the flexibility to plan upgrades, avoid last-minute costs and strengthen your long-term investment strategy.
Why getting ahead on compliance protects your yield and your property value
It is not just about legal boxes ticked. Compliance is a marker of professionalism, which influences tenant behaviour, letting times and retention rates.
Recent data from Rightmove shows that properties marketed as compliant, energy efficient and well-managed receive more enquiries and let 20 percent faster on average. Meanwhile, Zoopla notes that Cardiff’s average rental yield has remained stable at 5.2 percent, with higher yields recorded in areas where tenant satisfaction is strong.
Properties that meet or exceed compliance expectations are more likely to attract long-term tenants, reducing turnover and voids. They also protect asset value in the face of shifting policy.
How Martin & Co Cardiff can support your full compliance checklist
We offer tailored services for landlords across Cardiff, including:
- Property compliance audits
- Standard occupation contract drafting and issuing
- Fit for human habitation assessments
- Coordination of repairs, safety checks and upgrades
- Full property management for peace of mind
- Investor advice on regulation-friendly rental properties in Cardiff hotspots
Take action today
The end of the year is the perfect time to get your rental property in order – and position it for success in 2026.
Whether you need support with documentation, inspections or long-term planning, we are here to help.
Book your free rental valuation or compliance consultation today.
Martin & Co Cardiff – helping landlords stay compliant, competitive and confident in Wales’ evolving rental market.
