2022 No. 256 (W. 78)
The Renting Homes (Safeguarding Property in Abandoned Dwellings) (Wales) Regulations 2022
Made
Laid before Senedd Cymru
Coming into force in accordance with regulation 1
The Welsh Ministers make the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred on them by sections 221(1) and 256(1) of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 20161.
Title and commencementI21
InterpretationI32
1
In these Regulations—
“the Act” (“y Deddf”) means the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016;
“disposal” (“gwaredu”) includes but is not limited to the sale of property;
“prescribed period” (“cyfnod rhagnodedig”) is four weeks from the day on which the occupation contract ends under section 220 of the Act;
“property” (“eiddo”) is property (other than the landlord’s property) that is in the dwelling when the occupation contract ends under section 220 of the Act.
2
The words and expressions used in these Regulations have the same meaning as they have in the Act.
Safeguarding and disposal of propertyI43
1
Property that is in a dwelling when the occupation contract ends under section 220 of the Act must be dealt with in accordance with these Regulations.
2
Subject to paragraph (4), the landlord must safeguard the property for the prescribed period.
3
After expiry of the prescribed period, the landlord may dispose of any remaining property.
4
Paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply to property—
a
which is perishable,
b
where to safeguard it adequately would involve unreasonable expense or inconvenience, or
c
the value of which would not, in the opinion of the landlord, exceed the amount which the landlord may deduct under regulation 5(1) from the proceeds of sale of such property,
in which case the landlord may dispose of such property at such time and in such manner as the landlord thinks fit.
Delivery of property to ownerI54
1
At any time prior to the disposal of any property under paragraph (3) or (4) of regulation 3, the contract-holder, or any person who appears to the landlord to have a right of ownership or possession in the property, may arrange for delivery of that property to the contract-holder or that other person.
2
Subject to paragraph (3), where delivery has been arranged under paragraph (1), the landlord must relinquish custody of that property.
3
The landlord may require payment of such sum, as the landlord sees fit, equal to or less than the amount of any expenses incurred by the landlord in complying with these Regulations, before relinquishing custody of property under this regulation.
Landlord expenses and amounts due under the occupation contractI65
1
The landlord may apply any proceeds of disposal of property under paragraph (3) or (4) of regulation 3, in satisfaction of expenses incurred by the landlord in complying with these Regulations.
2
If there is any remainder, following the application of proceeds under paragraph (1), the landlord may, after the end of the prescribed period, apply it towards any arrears of rent due under the occupation contract.
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982I16
Section 41 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 19823 does not apply to property which is in a dwelling owned or managed by a local authority when an occupation contract in relation to that dwelling ends under section 220 of the Act.
(This note is not part of the Regulations)