Sanctions for landlords who fail to provide Electrical Condition Reports to contract holders in Wales under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (Coastal Housing Group v Mitchell)
Publisher
LexisNexisIssue
15 January 2025
Property Disputes analysis: The Divisional Court has ruled that rent is not payable by contract-holders in Wales unless and until landlords provide them with a copy of Electrical Condition Reports (‘ECRs’) for their homes. This is the first reported decision on the interpretation of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (RH(W)A 2016), which came into force on 1 December 2022. It introduced major changes to landlord and tenant law in Wales, entirely replacing the regime derived from the Housing Acts 1985 and 1988. Amongst many other matters, it introduced the concepts of an ‘occupation contract’ (ie tenancy agreement) and ‘contract-holder’ (ie tenant). It also introduced a raft of new provisions intended to ensure that all residential premises are fit for human habitation. Written by Tara O’Leary, barrister at Cornerstone Barristers, who acted for the successful defendants.
Read the full article by Tara O’Leary, on LexisNexis here.