HMO licensing in Cardiff

Which licences a rented house needs in Cardiff, and where. Wales. Checked 7 September 2026.

Cardiff runs additional licensing on top of mandatory licensing.

Mandatory HMO licence: 5 or more people forming 2 or more households sharing facilities. Every landlord must also be registered and licensed with Rent Smart Wales.

Additional licensing

Extends HMO licensing to smaller HMOs (typically 3 or 4 people) in a designated area.

StatusIn forceWhereCathays ward (all HMOs); Plasnewydd ward scheme ran 1 Jan 2021 to 31 Dec 2025 and shows no renewal on the licensing pageDesignated1 February 2023Ends31 January 2028

Licensing run by Shared Regulatory Services. Cathays additional scheme live from 1 Feb 2023 for 5 years. Plasnewydd scheme (from 1 Jan 2021, 5 years) has passed its end date; page not updated, check whether renewed.

Selective licensing

Every privately rented home in a designated area needs a licence, HMO or not.

None found

Wales: every landlord must register and license with Rent Smart Wales.

Council HMO page · Council Article 4 page · HMO Article 4 in Cardiff

Check an exact postcode for Article 4

Is a postcode inside an HMO Article 4 area?

See this on every listing.Kerbio puts the Article 4 answer, licensing, the council's HMO register and sold prices on the Rightmove, Zoopla or OnTheMarket page itself. Free for 7 days, then £39 a month.

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Sources: Cardiff council, gov.uk HMO licensing. Schemes change; confirm with the council before you offer.