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Eviction Notices in Wales

Complete guide to the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. How to legally evict contract holders using Wales-specific notices and procedures.

Important: Section 21 and Section 8 notices do NOT apply in Wales. This page covers the Welsh-specific eviction process under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.

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Not legal advice: This guide provides general information about Welsh tenancy law. Laws change regularly - always check the latest Welsh Government guidance or consult a solicitor for your specific situation.

Wales vs England: Key Differences

Aspect	🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales	🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England
Legislation	Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016	Housing Act 1988
Agreement type	Occupation contract	Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST)
Tenant term	Contract holder	Tenant
No-fault eviction	Abolished (Dec 2022)	Ends May 2026
Section 21	Does NOT apply	Until May 2026
Section 8	Does NOT apply	Yes (grounds-based)
Standard notice period	Generally 6 months	2 months (Section 21)

Understanding Occupation Contracts

Under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, all private rental agreements in Wales are called occupation contracts. There are two main types:

Standard Contract

Used by private landlords and housing associations for most rentals.

Most common contract type
Fixed-term or periodic
Landlord possession rights apply

Secure Contract

Used by local authorities (council housing). Greater tenant security.

Council and social housing
Stronger tenant protections
Limited landlord possession grounds

Wales Eviction Process Overview

Check Your Grounds

The Renting Homes (Wales) Act requires landlords to have valid grounds for possession. Common grounds include serious rent arrears, breach of contract, or landlord needs to sell/occupy. Check current Welsh Government guidance for the full list of grounds.

Serve the Correct Notice

Serve the appropriate possession notice under Welsh law. Notice periods vary depending on the ground - typically 6 months for standard possession, but shorter periods may apply for serious rent arrears or breach. Use Wales-specific notice forms.

Wait for Notice Period

Allow the full notice period to expire. The contract holder may leave voluntarily during this time. Keep records of all communications.

Apply to County Court

If the contract holder does not leave after the notice period, apply to the county court for a possession order. You will need to complete the appropriate court forms and pay the court fee.

Attend Court Hearing

Attend the possession hearing with evidence supporting your claim. If successful, the court will issue a possession order giving the contract holder a date to leave.

Bailiff Enforcement (if needed)

If the contract holder still does not leave, apply for a warrant of possession. Only court bailiffs can legally remove occupants. Never attempt to remove contract holders yourself.

Notice Periods in Wales

Note: Notice periods under Welsh law can change. Always check the latest Welsh Government guidance or Shelter Cymru for current requirements.

Ground/Reason	Typical Notice Period
Standard possession (no specific ground)	6 months
Serious rent arrears	Shorter period may apply (check current guidance)
Breach of contract	Depends on breach type (check current guidance)
Antisocial behaviour	May be expedited (check current guidance)

Need Help with Wales Eviction?

Our document packs include Wales-specific notices and guidance under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act.

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Frequently Asked Questions

No. Section 21 notices do not apply in Wales. Since December 2022, Wales uses the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, which has its own notice types and procedures. The equivalent "no-fault" eviction has been effectively abolished in Wales.

An occupation contract is the Welsh equivalent of a tenancy agreement. Under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, rental agreements are called "occupation contracts" and tenants are called "contract holders". There are two main types: standard contracts (private landlords) and secure contracts (social housing).

For standard occupation contracts in Wales, landlords typically need to give 6 months notice for possession claims without specific grounds. Shorter notice periods may apply for serious rent arrears or breach of contract - check current Welsh Government guidance for exact requirements.

Yes. The Renting Homes (Wales) Act includes provisions for possession where the contract holder has serious rent arrears. Specific grounds and notice periods apply - these differ from the English Section 8 system. Consult current Welsh legislation or seek legal advice.

Eviction cases in Wales are handled by the county court, similar to England. However, the grounds, notices, and procedures follow Welsh law under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, not the Housing Act 1988.

Yes. Landlords in Wales must protect deposits in a government-approved scheme within 30 days. The deposit protection rules are similar to England. Failure to protect the deposit can affect your ability to gain possession.

No. Section 21 and Section 8 notices are specific to England. Wales has its own notice requirements under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act. Using incorrect notices will invalidate your possession claim.

A contract holder is the Welsh term for a tenant under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. The person who signs the occupation contract and has the right to live in the property is called the contract holder.

UK Eviction Guide

All jurisdictions

Wales Occupation Contracts

Create compliant contracts

Notice to Leave

England only

Recover unpaid rent

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