Short-term let rules in Cardiff (updated 29 Oct 2026)
Last checked: 4 official source pages for this council scanned automatically for changes on 2 Nov 2026What changed
Get an email when the rules here change
Licensing, planning, visitor levy and fees in Cardiff, checked against official sources. Free, unsubscribe any time.
Dates we're watching for Cardiff (2)
- 31 Mar 2027: WRA registration deadline
- 1 Apr 2027: Cardiff levy starts
Plus one short weekly UK "what changed" email.
What changed (24 Sep 2026): Isle of Anglesey decides not to introduce a visitor levy at present; Conwy defers any decision. Cardiff remains the only Welsh council charging the levy. Source · Get free alerts
Visitor levy from 1 Apr 2027 (£1.30 per person per night).
Licensing or registration
Registration requiredNo council licence yet. Wales-wide: if you take bookings of 31 nights or fewer you must register with the Welsh Revenue Authority by 31 Mar 2027 (free, applies even with no council levy).
A national licensing scheme is legislated but not in force (default commencement March 2030). Check if you must register · What the licensing Act will require.
Control area / planning
None foundNo Article 4 direction listed.
Visitor levy
AppliesVisitor levy for new bookings for stays from 1 Apr 2027: £1.30 per person per night (75p for shared hostel/dorm rooms and tent pitches).
Source: source
Fees
WRA registration is free.
What changed in Cardiff
- Rules on this page last checked in full against the official sources listed above.
- Isle of Anglesey decides not to introduce a visitor levy at present; Conwy defers any decision. Cardiff remains the only Welsh council charging the levy. Official source
Newest first. Every UK change is in the changes log. Nothing here is legal advice: check the official source before acting.
Wales guides and tools
- Do I need to register with the WRA? 4-question checker
- Second homes council tax premium in Wales: rates, the 182-night test and exceptions
- Business rates or council tax? Occupancy threshold tracker
- Holiday let fire safety in Wales: what you need and a checklist
- Wales licensing scheme (2026 Act, legal default March 2030): who needs a licence
- How holiday lets are taxed since the FHL regime ended
Not sure what applies to your let? Use the free licence checker: pick your nation, council and type of let for a plain-English answer with the official source.
Buying here? See the buyer checks for Cardiff: licence or registration, planning, visitor levy, business rates or council tax, plus the lender, insurance and title checks to make before you buy.
Key dates
- 31 Mar 2027: WRA registration deadline
- 1 Apr 2027: Cardiff levy starts
Cardiff short-let rules: quick answers
Do I need a licence or registration for a short-term let in Cardiff?
No council licence yet. Wales-wide: if you take bookings of 31 nights or fewer you must register with the Welsh Revenue Authority by 31 Mar 2027 (free, applies even with no council levy). A national licensing scheme is legislated but not in force (default commencement March 2030). Check if you must register · What the licensing Act will require.
Do I need planning permission for a short-term let in Cardiff?
No Article 4 direction listed.
Is there a visitor levy (tourist tax) in Cardiff?
Visitor levy for new bookings for stays from 1 Apr 2027: £1.30 per person per night (75p for shared hostel/dorm rooms and tent pitches).
What fees apply to short-term lets in Cardiff?
WRA registration is free.
Answers summarise the sections above. Follow each section's official source before acting.
More council pages in Wales
Get free rule-change alerts for Cardiff
One email when Cardiff short-let rules change, plus the weekly UK "what changed" email. Free. Unsubscribe any time. Prefer every Wales change? Get Wales alerts.