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 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. For more information see our advice about standard contracts with community landlords.

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.