Wales · Council licensing

Landlord licensing in Merthyr Tydfil

✓ Hand-verified 19 Aug 2026

Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, Merthyr Tydfil does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. Here's the current position.

Mandatory HMO licenceRequired

Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.

Licence feeNot established

Merthyr Tydfil sets this fee under section 63(3) of the Housing Act 2004. Its current charge is not yet recorded here.

The council’s own licensing page carries the charge that applies today — confirm it there before you budget.

Not established is not the same as free.

Selective licensingNot in force

Evidenced negative by enumeration (first-party research 18 Aug 2026): the council HMO licence page describes only the mandatory scheme, stating it "applies across the UK" and setting out criteria of three storeys or more, five or more persons and two or more households. No s.80 selective designation appears on the council domain. Rent Smart Wales is the separate national registration and licensing regime and is not a Housing Act 2004 designation.

Additional licensing (HMOs)Not in force

Evidenced negative by enumeration (first-party research 18 Aug 2026): no s.56 additional designation appears on the council domain; the page presents mandatory licensing alone. the page still uses the pre-October-2018 three-storey framing, which is out of date. That is a currency problem in the council's content, not evidence of a discretionary scheme. No fee is published; applicants are told to contact the council.

Common questions

Does Merthyr Tydfil have a selective licensing scheme?

No. Merthyr Tydfil does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.

Does Merthyr Tydfil have an additional HMO licensing scheme?

No. Merthyr Tydfil does not currently operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.

Do I need an HMO licence in Merthyr Tydfil?

A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Merthyr Tydfil, where a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households who share basic amenities. Smaller shared houses may also need a licence where an additional licensing scheme applies.

Check your own propertyUnderstanding licensingLetting in Wales

Welsh letting law is not English letting law. These cover what actually applies here.

All property licensing in Wales

Source: Merthyr Tydfil licensing page →

Every landlord in Merthyr Tydfil also needs

A valid Gas Safety certificate (annual), an EICR (every 5 years), a valid EPC, a protected deposit, and smoke & CO alarms. In Wales you must also be licensed with Rent Smart Wales (or use a licensed agent), issue a written occupation contract and the accompanying written statement, and comply with the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 — which replaced assured shorthold tenancies with occupation contracts and ended Section 21 in Wales in December 2022. The England-only How to Rent guide and Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet do not apply here.

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Landlord HQ uses AI to analyse legislation and tenancy agreements. While we work hard to ensure accuracy, AI can make mistakes. Always verify compliance requirements with a qualified solicitor. Landlord HQ is an information tool, not legal advice.

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