Different challenges in Wales and England – Keeping abreast of rental legislation

A visit to meet and greet prospective tenants at rental properties on estates in North Wales recently meant a busy day for Jasmin Teague, Assistant Land Agent with Balfours.

This was not only an opportunity for Jasmin to showcase residential and commercial properties on behalf of clients, but also to meet prospective tenants and assess if it was the right property for them or suggest an alternative property that might be a better fit.

Once over the border, Jasmin, is of course working within the remit of Rent Smart Wales, a framework of legislation for let residential property introduced to protect both landlord and tenant. She explains: “We want to be sure that the property we are offering is right for both our landlord and the prospective tenant. It is essential that the landlord is happy with their new tenant, but equally tenants must be pleased with their move too, that way we can forge a good and lasting relationship.”

Crossing back over the border to Jasmin’s office base at Balfours, New Windsor House in Shrewsbury she and her colleagues are keeping a watchful eye on the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. This is legislation already enacted but many key parts of it come into force in England on May 1, 2026.

She explains “The Act not only applies to new tenancies, but in March an ‘Information Sheet’ will be released by the government which will apply to all tenancies pre-May 1, 2026 and the landlord will be required to provide a written copy to the tenant. This is of course assuming you have a tenancy agreement in place, otherwise it becomes more complex,” she adds. If you are a landlord and would like to know more about the legislation, then call Balfours on 01743 277069.