What’s in a name?.......a lot according to Tenants

Recently TPAS Cymru have been discussing this subject when it comes to tenants…..

Since the implementation for the Renting Homes (Wales)  Act, we have heard from tenants about a key concern relating to the Act – not the length of their new contracts or the complex terminology in them!, but the term ‘Contract Holder’ and in particular, how some landlords are using the term in everyday settings and correspondence. What were once ‘Tenant Gardening Competitions’ or ‘Residents Newsletters’ are, in some instances, now ‘Contract Holder Gardening Competitions’ and ‘Contract Holder Newsletters’!

Tenants are concerned as to why some landlords are using the term in such informal correspondence and settings, as it’s a term many don’t relate to.

During the lead up to Renting Homes Act, Tenants have told us that their preferred term is ‘Tenant’ as it’s clearly understood and well known by all; tenants and others.  

For those who want more detail, we tested 4 terms with tenants, and the results were as follows:  

• Highest scoring was ‘stick with Tenants’. The frequent reason given was the term tenant was well known and accepted and ‘tenant rights’ was something people had fought for.  
• A distant 2^nd was to be referred to as ‘resident’. Those who preferred that option felt it was more neutral and had less stigma.  
• 3^rd was ‘customer’ this really didn’t get good feedback as  "...customers have choice on product providers, we don’t….”.  
• Technically in 4^th place...but with zero votes was ‘contract holder’ – lots of negative comments about it  -  “no one knows what it means!”,  “I’ve got a contract with my mobile phone provider, but they don’t call me contract holder”

In every day contexts, tenants are finding the term 'Contract Holder' excluding and confusing, not just for them but also for others who may support them, such as family members, healthcare professionals, support workers  etc

But don’t just take our word for it – we checked with Simon White at Welsh Government.  He had the mammoth and lengthy task of leading on the Act.  Here’s what Simon said…….

“There are two types of agreement under which someone can live in a property, these being either a licence or a tenancy. The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 does not abolish licences and tenancies, but section 7 of the Act means that where a tenant or a licensee occupies a property as a home in return for rent, then that licence or tenancy will also be an occupation contract (subject to some specific exceptions). So, someone who has an occupation contract is still either a tenant or licensee, so using the terms ‘tenant’ or ‘licensee’ for general communications is not incorrect.”

So….

• What do you think about this subject?
• Do you have a preference on term tenant, resident or contract holder?
• Were your tenants asked or consulted?

Let me know [email protected]