Renting from a community landlord

Renting from a community landlord quick links: 

  1. Secure occupation contracts
  2. I live in emergency or temporary housing
  3. I moved into my home before 1 December 2022
  • If you rent your home from a council or a housing association then you have a community landlord 
  • Your community landlord must issue you with an occupation contract 
  • Most contract-holders renting from community landlords will be given a secure occupation contract, but there are some important exceptions.  

If you moved into your home before 1 December 2022 the information on this page does not apply to you. Your tenancy agreement will have ‘converted’ into one of the types of occupation contracts. There are slightly different rules for these types of contracts. Please see our advice about converted contracts here. 

What is a community landlord?

Community landlords are councils or housing associations that rent out homes. Many councils have transferred their housing to housing associations, so there are not many local councils in Wales that still rent out housing directly. You can find out more about housing associations on Community Housing Cymru’s website.

What type of occupation contract do I have?

Most occupation contracts given by community landlords are secure contracts. There are some situations where you might have a different contract, these include: 

  • If you have lived in your home for less than a year and you have an introductory standard contract 
  • If you are living in supported accommodation 
  • If a court has changed your contract to a prohibited conduct standard contract because of antisocial behaviour   
  • If you are living in temporary or emergency accommodation 
  • If your community landlord gave notice that your contract is a standard contract (if this happens get help) 

If you are not sure what type of contract you have you should look at the documents you have been given by your landlord. Your landlord must give you a written contract within 14 days of your contract starting. This should clearly state what type of contract you have. If you think you may have been given the wrong type of occupation contract, get help.

If you are still not sure, or want to find out more about your rights and responsibilities, take a look at the options below.  

I moved into my home before 1 December 2022

If you have a community landlord and moved in before 1 December 2022 your tenancy probably converted to an occupation contract. Special rules apply to converted contracts.

More Info

Secure occupation contracts

Most people with a community landlord have a secure occupation contract.

More Info

Introductory standard contracts

If you have a community landlord and moved in on or after 1 December 2022, then you will probably have an introductory standard contract until 12 months after you moved in unless the introductory period is extended.

More Info

Prohibited conduct standard contracts

A community landlord can apply to court to change your occupation contract to a prohibited conduct standard occupation contract because of anti-social behaviour

More Info

I live in emergency or temporary accommodation

If you have made a homelessness application to the council and have been placed in temporary accommodation, the type of agreement depends on who your landlord is and the council’s decision about your application.

More Info

I live in supported accommodation

If you are living in supported housing provided by a community landlord or a registered charity, there are special rules that determine whether you have an occupation contract or another type of agreement.

More Info

Reviewing community landlord decisions

If you disagree with a decision of a Community Landlord you might be able to ask the council or, in some cases, the county court, to look at it again.

More Info

When can a community landlord give a standard occupation contract?

In some circumstances, community landlords can give standard occupation contracts. Find out more about these exceptions.

More Info

Did you find this helpful?

Yn anffodus, ni allwn ddarparu'r wybodaeth hon yn Gymraeg. Mae cyfieithiad Cymraeg ar gael trwy'r ddolen Cymorth Clyweledol ar frig y dudalen. Fodd bynnag, ni fydd y cyfieithiad yn gwbl gywir bob amser gan ei fod yn cael ei gynhyrchu'n awtomatig
Unfortunately, we cannot provide this information in Welsh. There is a Welsh translation available via the Audio Visual Help link at the top of the page. However, these will not always be completely accurate as they are automatically generated.

This page was last updated on: June 2, 2023

Shelter Cymru acknowledges the support of Shelter in allowing us to adapt their content. The information contained on this site is updated and maintained by Shelter Cymru and only gives general guidance on the law in Wales. It should not be regarded or relied upon as a complete or authoritative statement of the law.