Consultations

The purpose of the consultation was to consult with all our tenants so that we can review and update our ‘Terms and Conditions’ contained in our Tenancy Agreements. We wanted to know if tenants thought they were appropriate and were written in a clear and fair way.

When the Renting Homes Act 2016 is implemented we will try to create an ‘easy read’ supplementary document, using shorter / simpler wording and infographic.

This consultation was live on our website from 26 October to 22 November 2020.

The purpose of the consultation was to consult with all our tenants so that we can review and update our ‘Terms and Conditions’ contained in our Tenancy Agreements.
We wanted to know if tenants thought they were appropriate and were written in a clear and fair way.

We have made changes to the wording of the consultation before going live, following feedback from our Partnership.

Results and feedback

• The majority of tenants supported the terms and conditions of the new draft.
• There was concern about tenants’ rights to succeed a tenancy so this point was changed from:
  “We may allow succession” to
  “We will allow succession”
• Some express concern that the document is too complex. We  sent the document to an outside company to simplify the language before the consultation started, but as this is a legal document some terminology has to be included. When the Home Rents Act 2016 is implemented we will seek to develop a ‘easy read’ supplementary document, using shorter / simpler wording and infographic.
• Some concern about departments referring to our legal duty as a landlord. Following discussions with our Legal department we have returned to use the wording included in our original tenancy agreement.
• The Partnership felt strongly that the clause not to allow untaxed vehicles on the driveway / property boundary should be removed. We have changed this condition of restricting two vehicles to stating that there is no limit for cars, vans or motorbikes, provided there is a low pavement and hard parking space. We have also amended another condition to state that written permission is required to keep tax-free vehicles within the property boundary.
• Noise Nuisance: We have reworded this clause to highlight that normal ’day to day living’ is not classed as a nuisance.
• Pets: raised point should we allow pets in sheltered schemes. We have set a limit, for example two dogs on the number of animals allowed.

Conclusion

The majority of respondents supported the changes to the terms and conditions.

Between 63% and 75% responded positively to the questions.

As a result of the feedback we have changed eight terms out of the 12 commented on. We have provided reasons why we have not made any further changes.

Thank you to everyone who took part in this consultation. Your feedback has been very valuable.

Model Written Statements of Occupation Contracts

The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (‘the Act’) will make it simpler and easier to rent a home in Wales.
Replacing various, complex pieces of existing legislation (laws) with one clear legal framework.

New ‘occupation contracts’ will replace current residential tenancies and licenses. This will make the rights and
obligations of both landlord and tenant or licensee (referred to in the Act as the ‘contract-holder’) much clearer.

You are encouraged to have your say.

Have your say

Following implementation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016,
these will be the model written statements used by all landlord in Wales, including us.

Model written statements will be the new term for Tenancy Agreements. We will be preparing a response as a
landlord, and will be supporting the Adra Customer Partnership to submit their response.