Vale of Glamorgan: landlord licensing
Vale of Glamorgan does not currently run a selective or additional licensing scheme, but mandatory HMO licensing still applies. Here is the full picture.
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Proposed / under review
These schemes are consulted on or otherwise not yet formally in force. They do not require a licence today but are worth watching.
Additional (HMO) licensing
unverifiedShared Regulatory Services states that an additional HMO licence is needed in the Castleland Renewal Area of Barry, but the council's own register and fee list show mandatory licences only, so we could not confirm this scheme is in force.
- Dates
- To be confirmed
Official local authority licensing designation
Mandatory HMO licensing (applies everywhere in Wales)
Regardless of local schemes, a property in Vale of Glamorgan 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
A council source still refers to an additional HMO licensing scheme in the Castleland Renewal Area of Barry, but the Vale's own licence register and fee schedule show mandatory licensing only. We could not confirm whether that scheme is in force. If you let an HMO in central Barry, confirm directly with the council before letting.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a landlord licence in Vale of Glamorgan?
Vale of Glamorgan does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. However, 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 Vale of Glamorgan?
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.