PRSCheck

Conwy: landlord licensing

Conwy operates discretionary property licensing. Here is what is in force, what is coming, and how to check whether your property is affected.

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Active additional (HMO) licensing

Additional licensing extends HMO licensing to smaller shared houses (typically 3-4 sharers) that fall below the mandatory threshold.

Additional (HMO) licensing

active

Pensarn (Marine Road and South Parade only), Colwyn Bay (Glyn and Rhiw areas only) and Llandudno and Craig y Don (Gogarth Mostyn, Tudno and Craig-y-don areas only)

Dates
1 Oct 2025 – 30 Sept 2030
Approx. fee
£1,398
Designated streets
2
Show the 2 designated streets

Transcribed from the council's published designation. Where only part of a street is covered, the house numbers are shown exactly as the council writes them.

  • Marine Road
  • South Parade

Official local authority licensing designation

Additional (HMO) licensing

active

Parts of the Glyn and Rhiw wards, Colwyn Bay. The Welsh-language notice describes this as part of the electoral ward, so confirm the exact address with the council.

Dates
1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031
Approx. fee
£1,398
Wards / areas
Glyn, Rhiw

Official local authority licensing designation

Additional (HMO) licensing

active

Parts of the Craig y Don, Tudno and Gogarth Mostyn wards, Llandudno. The Welsh-language notice describes this as part of the electoral ward, so confirm the exact address with the council.

Dates
1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031
Approx. fee
£1,398
Wards / areas
Craig-y-don, Tudno, Gogarth Mostyn

Official local authority licensing designation

Mandatory HMO licensing (applies everywhere in Wales)

Regardless of local schemes, a property in Conwy needs a mandatory HMO licence where it has three or more storeys and is let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Wales kept that three-storey test when England dropped it in 2018. Separately, every landlord in Wales must register with Rent Smart Wales, and must hold a licence too unless a licensed agent manages the property.

Penalties for operating unlicensed

  • Fixed penalty notice of £150-£250 per offence from Rent Smart Wales.
  • Unlimited fine on conviction in the magistrates' court.
  • Rent Repayment Order of up to 12 months' rent, claimable by the tenant. The 24-month uplift applies in England only.
  • A rent stopping order can be made, and you cannot serve a valid possession notice while unregistered or unlicensed.

Notes

Conwy runs additional HMO licensing in parts of Pensarn, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno and Craig y Don, where an HMO of any size needs a licence. The 2026-27 fee is £1,398 for up to four lets. Conwy does not publish the scheme dates, so confirm the boundary with the council.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a landlord licence in Conwy?

Conwy operates 3 additional (HMO) licensing scheme(s). Whether your specific property needs a licence depends on its exact location and how it is let. Separately, mandatory HMO licensing still applies, to properties of three or more storeys let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more households. Every Welsh landlord must also register with Rent Smart Wales.

What is the penalty for an unlicensed property in Conwy?

Letting an unregistered or unlicensed property in Wales can lead to a fixed penalty notice of £150-£250, an unlimited fine on conviction, a Rent Repayment Order of up to 12 months' rent, and a rent stopping order. You also cannot serve a valid possession notice while unregistered or unlicensed.

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🏛️ Government-backed data: built from official local authority licensing designations, ONS council boundaries and UK housing legislation (Housing Act 2004), verified as of July 2026. PRSCheck is an information service, not legal advice. Many schemes are designated at street or part-ward level; the paid report confirms the exact boundary and official source for your address. Browse all councils.