MovePlanEnding a tenancy in Wales
If you're renting in Wales, the notice rules on this site's England page don't apply to you at all — Wales runs on an entirely different Act, with different names for everything.
Most UK moving guides treat renting law as one system with a Scottish exception. Wales is the second exception, and it's easy to miss because the change happened quietly: since the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 came fully into force on 1 December 2022, there is no such thing in Wales as an assured shorthold tenancy any more. If you're renting in Wales, you don't have a tenancy — you have an occupation contract, and the notice rules that apply to it are different from England's, not a regional variant of them.
The terminology changed along with the rules
| England (assured tenancy) | Wales (occupation contract) |
|---|---|
| Tenant | Contract-holder |
| Tenancy agreement | Occupation contract |
| Assured shorthold tenancy (private) | Standard contract |
| Secure/assured tenancy (council or housing association) | Secure contract |
| Section 21 notice | Section 173 notice |
What notice actually requires, for a standard contract
- 1
You, to your landlord: at least four weeks
Ending a periodic standard contract from the contract-holder's side needs a minimum of four weeks' written notice. A fixed-term contract generally can't be ended early this way at all, unless the contract itself gives you a break clause — check your own paperwork rather than assuming.
- 2
Your landlord, without a reason: at least six months, using Form RHW16
A no-fault notice under section 173 (the Welsh equivalent of England's old section 21) can only be given on a periodic standard contract, must give you at least six months, and can't be served until you've been in occupation for six months. Welsh Government's guidance puts it this way: for a contract starting on or after 1 December 2022, a contract-holder who doesn't breach the contract is entitled to occupy the home for a minimum of one year.
- 3
Your landlord, for a specific reason: different, often shorter, rules apply
Rent arrears, breach of contract and anti-social behaviour each have their own, separate notice provisions under the Act, generally much shorter than the no-fault six months. If you're facing one of those, get advice from Shelter Cymru or Citizens Advice rather than relying on a general guide.
What doesn't change
Deposit protection, meter readings, and the evidence you gather for your check-out all work the same way regardless of which Act your contract sits under — the end of tenancy checklist covers that side in full and applies equally in Wales. If you're buying or selling rather than renting, moving house in Wales covers the two genuine differences on that side: Land Transaction Tax and the ninth council tax band.
MovePlan dates the rest of the move — packing, utilities, the address changes — from whichever day you actually leave, once your notice has worked out when that is. The dated plan is free; the letters are £14.99 once, for six months.