HMO licensing in Cardiff
HMO licensing in Cardiff: schemes, fees and rules
Cardiff operates Additional HMO Licensing in student-dense areas including Cathays and Plasnewydd. Every landlord in Wales must also register and be licensed under Rent Smart Wales separately.
- Typical mandatory fee
- £900 to £1300
- Licence length
- Up to 5 years
- Region
- Wales
Schemes in force in Cardiff
Mandatory (national)
Yes — scheme in force
Applies to every HMO of five or more occupiers in two or more households across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Additional
Yes — scheme in force
Council-designated scheme covering smaller HMOs (typically three or more occupiers in two or more households).
Selective
No
Council-designated scheme covering all rented properties in a specific area, not only HMOs.
Scheme designations are reviewed periodically and can lapse, expand or contract. Always confirm the current position on the council's official HMO licensing page before applying or letting.
Cardiff council HMO page
Apply for a licence, check current fees and read the council's own guidance on its official HMO page.
Open Cardiff HMO page →Book an HMO Licence in Cardiff
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What landlords need to do
Confirm with Cardiff whether your property falls under Mandatory licensing (5+ occupiers, 2+ households), Additional licensing (smaller HMOs under a council scheme), or Selective licensing (all private rentals in a designated area). A single property can fall under more than one scheme.
Apply at least three months before letting begins. The council will inspect the property against HMO management regulations covering room sizes, fire safety, kitchen and bathroom provision, and amenity standards.
Hold a current Gas Safety certificate, an EICR, and a satisfactory Fire Risk Assessment before applying. The council will normally request copies as part of the licensing process. Letting an unlicensed HMO is a criminal offence, exposes you to Rent Repayment Orders, and can lead to a banning order.