Rental Property Licensing in Cardiff

Cardiff is the capital of Wales and has a large and growing private rented sector, shaped by its universities, a young professional population, and sustained demand for rental housing. Landlords in Cardiff operate under a different regulatory framework from England, as Wales has its own landlord registration and licensing system administered through Rent Smart Wales.

Rent Smart Wales: the Welsh licensing framework

Unlike councils in England, Cardiff does not operate selective or additional licensing schemes under the Housing Act 2004. Instead, all landlords who rent out properties in Wales must register with Rent Smart Wales and obtain a licence if they carry out property management activities themselves.

Landlords who use a letting agent to manage their properties must still register with Rent Smart Wales, but the agent must hold the licence. Landlords who self-manage must hold a licence themselves, which requires completion of approved training.

What Rent Smart Wales requires

All landlords with rental properties in Wales must register their details and their properties with Rent Smart Wales. Registration must be renewed every five years. Landlords who manage their own properties must also obtain a licence, which requires them to complete an approved training course covering their legal obligations.

Failure to register or obtain the required licence is a criminal offence in Wales and can result in prosecution, fines, and rent stopping orders.

HMO licensing in Cardiff

Cardiff Council does operate additional licensing schemes for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Properties occupied by three or more people forming two or more households may require an additional HMO licence from Cardiff Council, in addition to Rent Smart Wales registration. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties with five or more occupants forming two or more households.

How to apply

For Rent Smart Wales registration and licensing, visit Rent Smart Wales. For HMO licensing in Cardiff, visit the Cardiff Council HMO licensing page.