Rent Smart Wales: Registration & Licensing
Introduction
As a result of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, landlords with rental properties in Wales have been required to be registered with the Welsh licensing authority, Rent Smart Wales (RSW). Landlords who undertake any management duties for any of those properties must also be licensed with RSW, as must all letting agents.
RSW came into existence on 23 November 2015. Since 23 November 2016, enforcement of RSW requirements has been in operation. It is a criminal offence not to comply with RSW requirements and will severely impact your traditional rights as a landlord such as your ability to take possession of your property.
Including the information on this page, the NRLA has a RSW licence conditions page. You can also visit the RSW website and their resources page.
The rest of this content is available once you have registered for an account on the NRLA site. It contains guidance on complying with the Welsh legislation, a number of fee ban compliant documents, what charges can be made under the fee bans, and a number of practical tips on adapting to the requirements of the Renting Homes (Fees, etc.) (Wales) Act 2019.
Renting Homes Wales training requirements for licence holders
All Rent Smart Wales licensees who have received their licence since July 2020 must complete approved training by 28 February 2023 on Renting Homes Wales because it is a condition of their, or their employers, Rent Smart Wales licence.
Alternatively, you might opt to do this training as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to broaden your knowledge or to be able to submit a licence application. This course is mandatory if you are renewing your licence application with Rent Smart Wales and relying on CPD to meet the training requirement.
The NRLA has been working closely with Rent Smart Wales and is now offering approved training on the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 prior to its implementation on 1 December 2022.