Rent Smart Wales: Is your licence due for renewal?
With Rent Smart Wales marking its 10th anniversary last year, landlords with rental homes in Wales are being reminded to check when licences are due for renewal.
The registration and licensing scheme for all landlords and agents in Wales was launched on 23rd November 2015, with a year's grace period allowing you to register and apply for a licence.
With licences valid for five years, this means those of you who waited until the end of 2016 will have licences up for their second renewal this month.
And with fines of up to £5,000 for failure to comply, it is vital you check your dates.
Enforcement powers
Rent Smart Wales has enforcement powers to act against those who are not properly registered or licensed.
Since the scheme launched, 3,230 landlords have received fixed penalty notices with 473 prosecuted and a total of £411,056 of fines issued.
According to figures from Rent Smart Wales there have been 93 prosecution this year – the highest on record, up from 84 in 2025.
Early bird discounts
Licences are priced between £254 and £327, depending on whether you pay online, with early bird discounts are available if you apply 42 days or more before your renewal date.
How do I check my renewal date, and what do I do next?
If you are unsure when your licence is due for renewal, log into your Rent Smart Wales account at rentsmart.gov.wales. Your renewal date will be visible in your dashboard.
To hold a licence, you must be able to demonstrate that you have completed the required training. We are an approved Rent Smart Wales training provider, with our courses covering your legal obligations as a landlord or agent in Wales, the standards expected of you under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act, and the practical steps you need to take to remain compliant.
We offer two courses - one for landlords and another for agents.
More information
- For further guidance on Rent Smart Wales and your obligations as a landlord in Wales you can visit our Wales resources pages.
- We also have specific Rent Smart Wales pages with information on registration, licensing, and compliance.
