HMO licensing in Cardiff
Mandatory, Additional and Selective licensing schemes plus the current Article 4 direction status for converting a dwelling into a small HMO.
Verdict: C3 to C4 HMO conversion
Article 4 applies, planning permission required for HMO conversion
Coverage: Cathays, Plasnewydd and parts of Riverside
In force since: 26 September 2016
Effect: Removes PD right for C3 to C4 conversion in the designated student-area wards
Cardiff also operates an HMO cap (no more than 20% HMOs within 50m).
Council Article 4 policy pageMandatory HMO licensing
Statutory- Threshold
- 5+ occupants forming 2+ households with shared facilities
- Fee range
- £1,094-£1,330
- Licence duration
- 5 years
Mandatory licensing is a statutory rule, every council in England and Wales must operate it for properties meeting the threshold.
Additional HMO licensing
In force- Scheme
- Rent Smart Wales + Cardiff Additional HMO Licensing
- Coverage
- Cathays, Plasnewydd, Roath and parts of Heath
- Threshold
- 3+ occupants from 2+ households
- Fee range
- £820-£1,094
- Scheme expires
- 30 April 2027
Wales also requires every landlord and agent to register with Rent Smart Wales, on top of any HMO licence.
Selective licensing
Not in forceThis council does not currently operate a Selective Licensing scheme.
Where to apply
Applications go to Cardiff directly, not through us. The council's HMO licensing page is the canonical reference.
Open Cardiff HMO licensing pageVerify before relying on this data. Licensing schemes are renewed every 3-5 years and Article 4 directions can be added or revoked between renewals. This entry was last reviewed on 15 May 2026. The council's own planning and licensing pages are the canonical source. Use this page as a starting point for your due diligence, not the final word.
Buying a property to convert to an HMO?
Our Investor-tier property report includes an Article 4 + licensing check for the specific address, plus yield, ROI, cashflow and HMO market data.