Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

Valid from 01/12/2022

220 Possession of abandoned dwellings E+W

(1) If the landlord under a relevant occupation contract believes that the contract-holder has abandoned the dwelling, the landlord may recover possession of the dwelling in accordance with this section.

(2) An occupation contract is relevant if it is a term of the contract (however expressed) that the contract-holder must occupy the dwelling as his or her only or principal home.

(3) The landlord must give the contract-holder notice—

(a) stating that the landlord believes that the contract-holder has abandoned the dwelling,

(b) requiring the contract-holder to inform the landlord in writing before the end of the warning period if the contract-holder has not abandoned the dwelling, and

(c) informing the contract-holder of the landlord's intention to end the contract if at the end of the warning period the landlord is satisfied that the contract-holder has abandoned the dwelling.

(4) During the warning period the landlord must make such inquiries as are necessary to satisfy the landlord that the contract-holder has abandoned the dwelling.

(5) At the end of the warning period the landlord may, if satisfied as described in subsection (4), end the contract by giving the contract-holder a notice.

(6) The contract ends when the notice under subsection (5) is given to the contract-holder.

(7) If an occupation contract is ended under this section the landlord may recover possession of the dwelling without court proceedings.

(8) The warning period is the period of four weeks starting with the day on which a notice under subsection (3) is given to the contract-holder.

(9) The landlord must give a copy of a notice under subsection (3) and a copy of a notice under subsection (5) to any lodger or sub-holder of the contract-holder.