Renting · 4 min read
The complete tenant's guide to renting in Cardiff: the practical take
Renting in Cardiff in 2026 is competitive but the rules protect you more than most tenants realise. Here's the full lifecycle from viewing to move-out.
Renting in Cardiff in 2026 is competitive but the rules protect you more than most tenants realise. Here's the full lifecycle from viewing to move-out.
Deposits and holding fees
Deposits are capped at 5 weeks' rent for lets under £50k/year. Holding fees are capped at one week's rent and must be refunded or credited if the landlord goes ahead.
Every deposit must be held in a government-backed scheme (DPS, MyDeposits or TDS) within 30 days.
Referencing without stress
Right to Rent check + credit check + employer reference + previous landlord reference. Self-employed tenants need SA302s and 3–6 months of bank statements. A guarantor covers gaps.
The tenancy agreement
Most lets are 6 or 12 month Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST). After the fixed term, the tenancy becomes "periodic" and you get 2 months' notice from the landlord.
Move-in: inventory and photos
Photograph every room and every existing mark on move-in day. Email the inventory back with corrections within 7 days.
Rights during the tenancy
The landlord must give 24 hours' notice for non-emergency visits, keep the property Fit for Human Habitation, and register a gas safety certificate annually.
Move-out and deposit return
Give notice in writing. Do a final clean. Attend the check-out. If the landlord disputes a deduction, escalate to the deposit scheme's adjudicator — it's free.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the average rent in Cardiff in 2026?
- See the live median on Gaffbee's rent map for the current month — averages shift quarter to quarter.
- Can my landlord raise rent mid-tenancy?
- Only if the contract allows it, and only once a year. During a fixed term, they usually can't without your agreement.
