Renter Reform and Rent Smart Wales: The Essential 2024/2025 Compliance Checklist for South Wales Landlords
How to Legally Let Your Property in Swansea and the SA Postcodes – And Why SA Property is Your Safest Option.
The Welsh rental market is complex, governed by the stringent Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and the licensing requirements of Rent Smart Wales (RSW).
For landlords in the South Wales area, staying compliant isn't optional—it's the only way to legally collect rent and retain possession rights.
This guide provides the essential 2024/2025 checklist, directly referencing the requirements we use at SA Property, ensuring your investment is secure and legally sound.
1. The Foundation: Rent Smart Wales (RSW) Compliance
RSW governs registration and licensing for all rental properties in Wales. You must be compliant before you can lawfully manage or collect rent.
The Registration Requirement:
The Licensing Requirement (The SA Property Advantage):
The requirement for a licence depends on how you manage the property:
- Self-Managing Landlords: If you handle rent collection, maintenance, and contracts yourself, you must complete an approved training course, pass a 'fit and proper person' test, and obtain a Landlord Licence.
- SA Property Fully Managed Service: If you appoint SA Property to manage your property, you only need to register. As a fully licensed agent, we handle the licensed side of the law on your behalf, saving you the time, cost, and effort of managing the licence.
SA Property Tip: Choosing our Fully Managed Service immediately reduces your administrative and legal burden,
ensuring all management activities are handled by licensed professionals.
2. The Legal Framework: Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016
This Act changed all assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) into Standard Occupation Contracts. Failure to comply with the contract and property standards can invalidate any notice to regain possession.
3. The Property Standards: Fitness for Human Habitation (FFHH)
Under FFHH rules, your property must be safe, well-maintained, and free from serious hazards throughout the occupation. We use a Pre-Tenancy Audit Checklist to ensure these are met before every move-in.
4. The Risks of Non-Compliance
Ignoring the rules does not save you money; it puts your entire investment at risk.
Your Next Step: Letting with SA Property
At SA Property, we understand the specific challenges facing South Wales landlords. Compliance is built into our process, not bolted on as an afterthought.
Our Onboarding Checklist for You:
Your Registration: You complete your Rent Smart Wales registration online (fee: £60).
Our Audit: We perform a Pre-Tenancy Audit Checklist to ensure your EPC, EICR, and Gas Safety Certificate are all in place. If you are missing any, we can arrange them for you.
Lender Check: We remind you to secure Lender Consent to Let and ensure you have specialist Landlord Buildings Insurance in place.
Whether you're new to the area or managing a large portfolio,
partnering with a local expert ensures maximum compliance and peace of mind.
To discuss your compliance status or to start the onboarding process, contact our local Gorseinon-based team today.
Call SA Property on 01792 893000
89 High Street, Gorseinon
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