Thinking of becoming a landlord in the Barry area or surrounding Cardiff, Wales? Here’s what you need to know before renting out your property in Wales.
Renting out your home can be a great way to generate income and contribute to the local housing market. However, it’s essential to understand that Wales has its own set of legal requirements. Getting it right can lead to a successful and rewarding experience, while getting it wrong can result in fines, void contracts, or even bans from letting.
At REMAX Estate Agents Barry, we’re here to support you every step of the way. We help landlords stay compliant, find quality tenants, and maximise rental income. This guide outlines the essential steps to take before renting out your house. We’re always available to answer any questions you may have.
✅ 1. Register with Rent Smart Wales
In Wales, it’s a legal requirement to register as a landlord with Rent Smart Wales.
If you plan to manage the property yourself, you’ll also need to complete landlord training and apply for a licence.
💡 Using a fully licensed agent (like us) means you don’t need to hold a management licence yourself. This not only saves you the time and effort of obtaining a licence but also ensures that your property is managed professionally, potentially increasing its value and appeal to tenants.
🧾 2. Understand Your Legal Obligations
As a landlord, you’re legally required to meet several compliance standards, including:
- Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) – renewed every 12 months
- EICR (Electrical Safety) – valid for 5 years
- EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) – rating of E or above
- Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms – correctly installed
- Deposit Protection – must be secured in a government-approved scheme
- Written Occupation Contract – in line with the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016
❗️Failure to comply with any of these could lead to heavy fines or restrictions on eviction rights. For instance, not having a Gas Safety Certificate could result in a fine of up to £6,000, and failing to protect a tenant’s deposit could lead to a ban on letting.
🔎 3. Prepare Your Property for Tenants
To attract reliable tenants and command a strong rent, make sure your home is:
- Clean, well-maintained, and safe
- Neutral in décor with durable flooring
- Legally compliant (see above)
- Furnished or unfurnished, depending on market demand
Tip: Consider offering extras like white goods, a garden maintenance package, or a fast broadband connection – it can boost your rentability.
💰 4. Set the Right Rent
This is where local knowledge matters. Overpricing can leave your property vacant. Underpricing could hurt your return. We can help you set the right rent by providing free rental valuations, rent comparisons on similar homes in your area, and guidance on achievable yields and long-term returns.
We offer:
- Free rental valuations
- Rent comparisons on similar homes in your area
- Guidance on achievable yields and long-term returns
📍 In Barry, 3-bedroom houses typically rent between £950 – £1,250 PCM, depending on location and finish (2025 data).
📑 5. Advertise the Property Properly
Professional marketing ensures you reach high-quality tenants fast. At REMAX Estate Agents Barry, we advertise on:
- Rightmove & Zoopla
- REMAX global network
- Social media marketing
- Facebook Marketplace & community pages
- Our applicant database and email alerts
🤝 6. Choose the Right Tenants
A good tenant can make or break your rental experience.
We carry out:
- Full tenant referencing and affordability checks
- CCJ & IVA Checks & ID verification
- Rent Smart Wales-compliant documentation
- Deposit registration and contracts
🔧 7. Decide on Management Style
You have two options:
🛠 Self-manage:
- You handle repairs, rent collection, inspections, and legal compliance
- Requires availability and legal knowledge
- Tenant find service, we find the tenant and set up the rest.
🤝 Fully Managed (Recommended):
- We handle everything for you
- You get passive income, peace of mind, and legal protection
- Ideal for busy landlords or portfolio owners
📌 Ask us about our Fully Managed Lettings Service in Barry and Cardiff.
📥 Bonus: Download Your Free Landlord Compliance Checklist
Before renting your house, ensure you’re fully prepared.
🎁 Download our FREE Landlord Checklist (Wales Edition) covering:
- Legal documents
- Safety certificates
- Deposit protection
- Rent Smart Wales
- Tenant responsibilities
👉 Contact us to request the landlord checklist PDF
👋 Thinking of Letting Your Home?
Whether you’re renting out your home for the first time or growing your portfolio, we’re here to help. Let us take care of the details while you enjoy a steady, stress-free rental income.
📞 01446 788675
📧 info@remaxestateagents.co.uk
📍 23 Park Crescent, Barry, CF62 6HD
REMAX Estate Agents Barry – Local Lettings. Global Reach.
