Whether you’re a first-time landlord or managing a growing portfolio, ensuring compliance with Rent Smart Wales remains one of the most important responsibilities you have in 2025. The potential risks of non-compliance, including penalties, legal issues, and voided contracts, underscore the urgency of this matter. But staying on top of your obligations doesn’t have to be complicated.
At REMAX Estate Agents Barry, we’ve created this practical checklist to help landlords across Wales stay compliant, stress-free, and up to date.
✅ What Is Rent Smart Wales?
Rent Smart Wales (RSW) is the licensing authority that regulates landlords and agents under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. All rental properties in Wales must be registered, and anyone involved in letting or managing must be licensed — whether you’re a self-managing landlord or using an agent.
🧾 2025 Compliance Checklist for Landlords in Wales
Here’s what you must have in place this year:
1. ✅ Registration with Rent Smart Wales
- Every landlord who lets a property in Wales must register themselves and their rental property with RSW.
- Registration is valid for 5 years.
- Have your certificate handy – many landlords forget when theirs expires.
2. ✅ Landlord Licence (If Self-Managing)
- If you manage the tenancy yourself (i.e. deal directly with tenants, collect rent, etc.), you must hold a licence.
- This requires approved training and a fit-and-proper person check.
- If you use a fully licensed agent (like us), you don’t need a landlord licence yourself — only the property needs to be registered.
3. ✅ Written Statement of the Occupation Contract
- Under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act, tenancy agreements are now called Occupation Contracts.
- They must include:
- Key terms
- Standard terms (as prescribed)
- Any supplementary or additional terms
- Ensure you are using the correct contract — ASTs are no longer valid.
4. ✅ Deposit Protection & Prescribed Information
- If you’ve taken a deposit, it must be protected within a government-approved scheme within 30 days.
- Tenants must also receive prescribed information in writing.
5. ✅ Property Condition & Safety
- You must ensure the property is:
- Free from serious hazards
- Fitted with working smoke alarms on each storey
- Fitted with carbon monoxide alarms in any room with a fuel-burning appliance
- Electrically safe (EICR required every 5 years)
- Up to date with gas safety certificates
6. ✅ Fitness for Human Habitation
- The property must meet the Fitness for Human Habitation (FFHH) standards, which became law under the 2022 legislation.
- Common issues include:
- Damp and mould
- Poor heating or insulation
- Electrical or fire safety concerns
7. ✅ How to Rent Guide & Other Documents
- While the English “How to Rent” guide is not required in Wales, you should still provide tenants with:
- A copy of the occupation contract
- Details of the deposit scheme
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Gas Safety Certificate
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
🛠️ Optional — But Recommended:
✅ Landlord Insurance
- Consider specialist landlord cover for loss of rent, property damage, and liability.
✅ Ongoing Maintenance Log
- Keeping a record of all repairs, inspections, and safety checks protects you in case of disputes.
✅ Licensing and Registration Reminders
- Set calendar reminders for renewals or choose a fully managed service where we handle it all for you.
⚠️ Penalties for Non-Compliance
Rent Smart Wales has the authority to:
- Issue fixed penalties of up to £250 per offence
- Serve improvement notices or rent repayment orders
- Ban repeat offenders from managing properties altogether
👋 Need Help Staying Compliant?
At RE/MAX Estate Agents Barry, we take the hassle out of compliance. Whether you want a one-off compliance review or prefer a fully managed service, we’re here to make the process easy and convenient for you, ensuring you avoid risk and stay protected.
✅ Free Compliance Health Check – No Obligation
Want us to double-check your setup? Book a call and we’ll review everything for you — paperwork, certificates, registration status — free of charge. This is our way of showing that we value your compliance and care about your peace of mind.
📞 Ready to Make Life Easier?
Contact REMAX Estate Agents Barry today to ensure your property is fully compliant in 2025 and beyond.
