Wales has confirmed a clear line for landlords and letting agents: from Monday 1 June 2026, occupation contracts in Wales must include new anti‑discrimination terms, making it unlawful to exclude families with children or people who receive benefits. Senedd Members approved the necessary regulations on 10 February, with the Cabinet Secretary stating the timetable is designed to give the sector time to update paperwork and notify contract‑holders. (record.senedd.wales)

The change flows from the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and inserts two new fundamental provisions into the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016: a contract‑holder may have under‑18s live in or visit the home, and a landlord must not prohibit the contract‑holder from being a “benefits claimant”. These terms now form part of the model written statements used across Wales. (record.senedd.wales)

Practically, this means the old shortcuts in adverts and triage-like blanket ‘No DSS’ lines or wording that deters families-cannot be used to discourage enquiries, block viewings or refuse sign‑ups. UK Government guidance on rental discrimination, mirrored in Wales through the 2025 Act, makes clear that steps which make someone less likely to rent because they have children or claim benefits are unlawful. (gov.uk)

Welsh Government model contracts for secure and standard occupation contracts will be updated to carry the new terms, so users of the official templates will be covered. Landlords who rely on bespoke documents or edited models should add the new clauses before granting any new contracts from 1 June 2026 to avoid non‑compliance. (gov.wales)

For supported accommodation, there’s one carve‑out: the children‑related right (section 54A) is not a fundamental provision for supported standard contracts. The benefits clause still applies. Providers in supported settings should check their house rules and referral criteria against the updated law. (record.assembly.wales)

Paperwork matters. When a contract term changes because of legislation, Welsh Government guidance says landlords must give a written statement of variation-or a refreshed full written statement-within 14 days of the change. Plan now to issue that update promptly after 1 June to existing contract‑holders. (gov.wales)

Advertising and screening processes should be tightened. Listings, portals and window cards need neutral, factual descriptions-size, EPC, rent, deposit, council tax band-without wording that deters families or benefits claimants. Pre‑application questions should focus on affordability and eligibility checks that treat benefits as income rather than excluding claimants outright. (gov.uk)

There is a narrow insurance transition in play. Legal commentary confirms that where a landlord or superior landlord holds an insurance policy taken out before 1 June 2026 that restricts children or benefits claimants, that clause can temporarily be relied on, but the protection disappears on renewal. Speak to your broker now to remove any conflicting terms. (cornerstonebarristers.com)

A proportionate‑and‑legitimate‑aim test applies to the under‑18s clause. Interference with the right for children to live at or visit the dwelling must be justifiable-for example, to meet lawful occupancy limits-rather than based on preference or convenience. Keep a written audit trail where you rely on a statutory or licensing cap. (cornerstonebarristers.com)

Process changes are straightforward but non‑negotiable. Update application forms, CRM workflows and staff training so families and benefits claimants aren’t filtered out at enquiry stage. Review any ‘professionals only’ phrasing, remove ‘No DSS’ tags in saved templates, and ensure referencing treats Universal Credit and other benefits as income in affordability calculations. (gov.uk)

Expect the official model statements page to reflect the change ahead of June. Using those models reduces drafting risk; if you customise, ensure the new rights are incorporated verbatim and that any supplementary terms don’t dilute them. (gov.wales)

The takeaway for agents and landlords is simple: clean up adverts, update contracts, and schedule a batch issue of variation statements for early June. Wales is aligning the rental market with a more open access standard; the firms that move early will avoid complaints and keep voids short. (record.senedd.wales)