Renting by cityCardiff

Renting in Cardiff — your rights as a tenant in 2026

Cardiff operates under Welsh renting law, which has some differences from England. All landlords must be registered with Rent Smart Wales. The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 provides additional protections not available in England.

£900
Average monthly rent
5
Common tenant issues
45,000 households
Private renter households

Common issues for Cardiff renters

Student HMO standards
Deposit disputes
Damp in older terraces
Landlord registration (Rent Smart Wales)
Energy efficiency

Renting law in Wales

Important: Cardiff is in Wales, which has different renting laws to England. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 applies to England only. Wales has its own Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 with additional tenant protections. All landlords must register with Rent Smart Wales. Our decoder is designed for English tenancy agreements, but many of the principles apply across the UK.

Your local council

Cardiff Council

Environmental Health / Private Renting Team: 029 2087 2087

If your landlord is not maintaining your property, your deposit is not protected, or you are being threatened with illegal eviction, contact your council's Environmental Health team. They have the power to inspect properties, issue improvement notices, and prosecute landlords who fail to comply.

Check your Cardiff tenancy agreement

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Useful guides

Renters' Rights Act 2025 — what changes from May 2026Deposit not protected? What to do and how to claimMy landlord won't do repairs — your optionsUnfair terms in tenancy agreements — what's enforceableSection 21 eviction notice — your rightsWhat to check in your agreement before signing

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