Rent Smart Wales: registration and licence cost
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against rentsmart.gov.wales on the date above
If you let residential property in Wales, you must register with Rent Smart Wales for £60 online (or £102 by paper), and if you manage the letting yourself rather than through a licensed agent, you also need a separate landlord licence, from £254 online.
Both cover five years, and Cardiff Council runs the whole scheme on behalf of Welsh Government, for every landlord in Wales - unlike Scotland, there's a single national fee, not one set by each council.
Short on time?Let us prepare your application - fixed fee, and we always show you the free official route first.
Get it done for you →This guide explains the difference between registration and the landlord licence, what each costs, the training the licence requires, and how to apply. If your property is in Scotland rather than Wales, see our Scottish landlord registration guide instead; our HMO licensing guide and service covers England only.
This is general information, not legal advice. For anything specific to your property, contact Rent Smart Wales directly.
What is Rent Smart Wales?
Rent Smart Wales is the national registration and licensing scheme for private landlords and letting/management agents in Wales, run by Cardiff Council on behalf of Welsh Government since it launched on 23 November 2015.
It was created under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, and Welsh Ministers designated Cardiff Council as the single Licensing Authority for the whole of Wales, so you deal with one national body rather than 22 separate councils.
Registration vs licence - what's the difference?
Every landlord letting under a domestic tenancy in Wales must register, but only landlords who personally carry out letting or property-management activities also need a licence.
| Registration | Landlord licence | |
|---|---|---|
| Who needs it | Every landlord letting property in Wales | Only landlords who self-manage (don't use a licensed agent for everything) |
| Training required | No | Yes - approved training before you apply |
| Cost (new, online) | £60 | £254 |
| Valid for | 5 years | 5 years |
If you appoint a licensed agent to handle all your letting and management activity, you still need to register yourself, but you don't need your own licence - the agent's licence covers that work.
What does Rent Smart Wales cost?
Applying online is consistently cheaper than applying on paper, and there are separate figures for registration and for the licence.
These are the fees published under the Rent Smart Wales Fee Policy, effective 1 April 2025. Check the current fees on rentsmart.gov.wales →
✓ Fee verified against rentsmart.gov.wales, 23 August 2026
If you need a licence, you'll also pay separately for the required training - typically around £35 for the online course (about 5 hours) or £100 for a 6.5-hour classroom session, paid to the training provider rather than to Rent Smart Wales itself.
How to apply, step by step
- Work out whether you need registration only, or registration and a licence - this depends on whether you self-manage or use a licensed agent for everything.
- If you need a licence, complete approved training first - online or classroom, before you start your licence application.
- Register on rentsmart.gov.wales, giving your details and every property you let in Wales.
- Apply for your licence, if needed, confirming your completed training and declaring any relevant convictions.
- Pay the relevant fee - registration, licence, or both, online for the cheaper rate.
- Keep your registration and licence numbers and display them as required in tenancy paperwork.
- Renew before the 5-year expiry - you can apply for renewal up to 84 days before your licence lapses, and an early-renewal discount applies if you renew more than 42 days ahead.
What happens if you don't comply?
Frequently asked questions
Do I need both registration and a licence?
Every landlord needs to register. You only also need a licence if you personally carry out letting or property-management activities rather than using a fully licensed agent for everything.
How much does Rent Smart Wales cost?
Registration costs £60 online (£102 by paper). A landlord licence, if you need one, costs £254 online (£327 by paper), on top of separate training costs.
Who runs Rent Smart Wales?
Cardiff Council, designated by Welsh Ministers as the single Licensing Authority for the whole of Wales under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.
How long does registration or a licence last?
Both last 5 years from the date they're granted, and you can renew a licence up to 84 days before it expires.
Do I need training for Rent Smart Wales?
Only if you need a landlord licence - approved training (around 5 hours online or 6.5 hours in a classroom) is required before you apply. Registration alone doesn't require training.
What happens if I don't register or get licensed?
It's a criminal offence, and it can prevent you from serving certain possession notices or lawfully collecting rent while unregistered or unlicensed.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Rent Smart Wales, Cardiff Council, Welsh Government or any government body. This page is general information, not legal advice - for anything specific to your property, contact Rent Smart Wales directly.