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What is Occupation contract?
Last verified 31 October 2026
An occupation contract is the type of rental agreement used in Wales under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. For private landlords it is a standard contract.
Why it matters to landlords
Section 2 of the Act splits landlords into community landlords, which include local authorities and registered social landlords, and private landlords, which is everyone else. Occupation contracts made with or adopted by community landlords are secure contracts, and those made with or adopted by private landlords are standard contracts, subject to exceptions. Most private lets in Wales are therefore standard occupation contracts.
GOV.WALES publishes guidance for landlords, including standard occupation contracts guidance that explains the meaning of the terms in these contracts, guidance on converting older tenancies, and the Renting Homes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026. Use the Welsh Government's guidance rather than an English tenancy template, because the notices and terms differ. See the Rent Smart Wales entry for the registration side.
Example
Gareth lets a house in Swansea to two sharers. As a private landlord he issues a standard occupation contract using the Welsh Government's guidance, not an English assured shorthold template, before the 1 July 2027 start.