Occupation Contract FAQs

Due to changes in legislation, there are new terms that we are required to add to your existing Occupation Contract in the form of a written statement, which we have recently sent out to each contract holder.

The new terms will apply from the 1st June 2026.

You don’t need to contact us or take any further action.

What is a written statement?

This is the document that contains the terms of your occupation contract. Prior to Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 this would have been called a tenancy agreement.

What do these changes mean to me?

Like all housing associations, Beacon Cymru is regulated by Welsh Government. The law called the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 has been updated. Because of this, these new rules must be added to your contract.

Effective 1st June 2026, it will be illegal for Beacon to discriminate against prospective residents because they have children or receive benefits.

This means it will be unlawful to discriminate against prospective residents who receive benefits or who have children.

We will not:

• Deter these households from enquiring about a home with Beacon.
• Refuse or restrict their access to viewings or any home information.
• Exclude them from entering a tenancy (also known as your Occupation Contract).
• Landlords will be able to consider applicants’ individual circumstances to determine whether a home is suitable. For example, we may decline to rent a single room in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) to a family if the accommodation is clearly unsuitable for family living.

You need to give us 4 weeks, or 1 month written notice to end your contract, depending on the frequency of your contract. Call us on 01792 479200 and we can send you a template letter to complete and return.

There are a number of ways you can pay. Visit our ‘how to pay‘ page to find more information.

Call us on 01792 479200 and speak to our Rent Management Team who can set up a direct debit with you over the phone.

It is part of your Occupation Contract that rent is paid in advance to prevent your account from going into arrears.

Beacon promotes responsible pet ownership and recognises the benefits that pet ownership can bring to residents and communities in terms of companionship and positively effecting people’s health and wellbeing.

Pets are permitted though there are some exceptions that exist. Such exceptions will be made clear to applicants ahead of any allocation being approved or exchange/transfer being completed.

If during a tenancy, residents wish to acquire a pet which will live in a property rented from Beacon; our permission must be sought and obtained first.  Where permission is refused, reasons will be given to explain this decision. You can visit out Pet page to submit a pet request here.

If the animals in question causes or significantly contributes to nuisance being caused to neighbours/other local residents, then the issue will dealt with as nuisance under the relevant terms of the anti-social behaviour policy.

If you have a secure contract, you are entitled to apply to Homeswapper at www.homeswapper.co.uk (if you’re unsure of your contract you can speak to our team on 01792 479200).

Homeswapper is a service that helps you find / swap properties with other Beacon residents and residents of other social landlords.

If you need to move immediately due to exceptional circumstances you can contact us on 01792 479200.

If you are in a house or bungalow you need to complete an application to carry out a home improvement request form to make sure you have permission. We do not allow personal satellite dishes on flats because a communal Sky dish is provided.  It should be noted that communal dishes are not Sky+, so if you’re paying for a package as such it would be worth getting in touch with Sky to alter your package.

You should always take your own meter readings when you start or end your contract with us for your own records.