What licensing schemes does Cardiff operate?

Cardiff operates additional licensing (1 February 2023 to 1 February 2028), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.

Do all properties in Cardiff need a licence?

It depends on the scheme and your property. Where selective licensing applies, most privately rented homes need a licence; HMOs fall under mandatory or additional licensing depending on size and occupancy.

What if my property doesn't have a licence?

Operating a property that requires a licence without one can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. The landlord also risks a rent repayment order of up to 24 months' rent and cannot serve a Section 21 notice. A letting agent who manages the property or collects the rent commits the offence too and can be fined separately.

Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?

Yes. Letting agents can apply for property licences on behalf of landlords in Cardiff, and many manage the full process.

How do I apply for a Cardiff property licence?

You can apply through Cardiff Council's website ( licensing pages ), or use a managed service such as Kamma.

Why did Cardiff introduce selective licensing?

Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.

Why did Cardiff introduce additional licensing?

Additional HMO licensing addresses overcrowding, disrepair and management standards in smaller HMOs not covered by the national mandatory scheme.

What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Cardiff?

The council's HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management ( licence conditions ).

ADDITIONAL LICENSING · LIVE

Cardiff Property Licensing: Do You Need a Licence?

Cardiff operates additional licensing alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. Most privately rented homes need a licence, and enforcement is rising.

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Map of property licensing by ward in Cardiff. Additional HMO licensing in Cathays applies now. The remaining wards have mandatory HMO licensing only, which applies nationally to larger shared homes.

Additional (HMO) licensing now

Mandatory HMO licensing only (national scheme)

Part of ward only

Cardiff Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement

Councils are using data to identify unlicensed properties, and agents who manage them can be fined in their own right

Up to £40k fine per unlicensed property

Rent Repayment Orders up to 24 months

£7,800 average fine for letting agents

Most enforcement activity happens within the first 3–6 months of scheme launch.

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Property Licensing Guide for Cardiff

Cardiff currently operates additional licensing in 1 ward; mandatory HMO licensing and Rent Smart Wales registration apply everywhere. Last checked: 25 August 2026.

This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in this area and how to apply for a licence.

New to this? Read our overview: What is selective licensing?

Cardiff Property Licensing Schemes

Got questions about licensing schemes in Cardiff? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in Cardiff and how to apply for a licence.

Is manual compliance causing a headache for your agency? At Kamma, we specialise in automating licensing compliance for agents across the UK. If you need any assistance in getting your property portfolio compliant, find out how we can help letting agents here.

Not sure whether a Cardiff property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.

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What are the licensing requirements for Cardiff?

Mandatory licensing in Cardiff

Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Cardiff (and all of England) to larger HMOs. These are properties occupied by five or more people forming more than one household, including:

Shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals.
Properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities.
Properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation.

Do I need an additional property licence in Cardiff?

Additional licensing requires smaller HMOs in a designated area to be licensed. That means a privately rented property with three or more people forming more than one household.

Cardiff operates additional HMO licensing. The current designation is set out below.

Do I need a selective licence in Cardiff?

Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.

Cardiff does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme.

Additional licensing: 1 February 2023 to 1 February 2028, covering Cathays.
Mandatory HMO licensing: in force since 2006 for HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household.

How do I apply for a licence?

You can apply for a licence via Cardiff Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.

How much does a licence cost?

Cardiff Council sets the following licence fees, which apply to both mandatory and additional HMO licensing. Each is an initial payment on application plus a second payment after inspection, and the second payment is higher where the property does not meet HMO licensing standards:

Shared house or single flat, up to 4 bedrooms: £160 on application, then £230 if compliant or £650 if not, giving a total of £390 or £810.
Shared house or single flat, 5 to 9 bedrooms: £160, then £250 or £700, giving a total of £410 or £860.
Shared house or single flat, 10 to 15 bedrooms: £160, then £280 or £750, giving a total of £440 or £910.
Shared house or single flat, 15 or more bedrooms: £160, then £300 or £800, giving a total of £460 or £960.
Blocks of flats: £160, then £120 or £580, giving a total of £280 or £740, plus a per-flat charge of £40 for a flat of up to 2 bedrooms or £50 for one of 3 or more (£70 and £90 respectively where the property is not compliant).
New owner of a compliant licensed property, taking on the existing licence terms: £40, then £70, or a single payment of £100 with the application.

Fees are set by the council and can change. Check the Shared Regulatory Services HMO licensing pages for Cardiff for the latest figures.

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1 licensing scheme. Know exactly what you need.

Cardiff's licensing schemes are set out below. Check any Cardiff address against them.

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Cardiff Property Licensing FAQs

What licensing schemes does Cardiff operate?
Cardiff operates additional licensing (1 February 2023 to 1 February 2028), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Cardiff need a licence?
It depends on the scheme and your property. Where selective licensing applies, most privately rented homes need a licence; HMOs fall under mandatory or additional licensing depending on size and occupancy.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Operating a property that requires a licence without one can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. The landlord also risks a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent and cannot serve a Section 21 notice. A letting agent who manages the property or collects the rent commits the offence too and can be fined separately.
Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for property licences on behalf of landlords in Cardiff, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Cardiff property licence?
You can apply through Cardiff Council’s website (licensing pages), or use a managed service such as Kamma.
Why did Cardiff introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.
Why did Cardiff introduce additional licensing?
Additional HMO licensing addresses overcrowding, disrepair and management standards in smaller HMOs not covered by the national mandatory scheme.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Cardiff?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).

About Cardiff

Cardiff operates property licensing to raise standards in its private rented sector. The schemes that apply are set out below.

Licensing Enforcement in Cardiff

Cardiff Council enforces property licensing across its schemes. Letting a property without the required licence risks prosecution and civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. The landlord can also face a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. Where a letting agent manages the property or collects the rent, the agent commits the offence too and can be fined in its own right.