ALMA’s Services

to Tenants

To create a property search, please use the property search page.

What is ALMA?

ALMA is The Association of Letting & Management Agents. It comprises a group of Letting Agents operating mainly in the South Wales area. Member firms have a common set of standards and are supported by Cardiff County Council.

Why should I rent through an ALMA Agent?

An ALMA member will offer a professional approach to helping you find a suitable property to rent and managing the property once you have moved in. All properties will have a current Gas Safety Certificate and may also have an Electrical Safety Certificate, furniture will be checked for compliance with the Fire Safety Regulations and reasonable requests for repairs will be attended to. It is for these reasons that organisations such as Cardiff University and Cardiff Housing Help Centre are recommending ALMA.

What should I expect to pay?

You will normally be asked to pay one month’s rent in advance, together with a bond of a similar or slightly higher value. Most agents will also charge an initial fee in the region of one week’s rent (plus VAT). This is your contribution to the costs involved in setting up the tenancy, procuring references and drawing up the tenancy agreement.

What happens to my bond?

During the tenancy the bond, also known as the deposit, will normally be held by the Agent. Member firms are required to operate a separate ‘client’ bank account for this purpose. All ALMA members must also hold Professional Indemnity Insurance.

How do I get my bond back?

Providing there is no damage to the property, there are no items missing and the property is found to be properly cleaned, your bond will be returned. However, you must ensure all bills have been paid and provide a valid forwarding address. It is not permissible to ‘use’ the bond as the final month’s rent.

How do I contact an ALMA agent?

Simply complete the short enquiry form on the property search page. Your requirements will be simultaneously sent to all ALMA Agents. You may also access a complete list of agents by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page. Here you will find contact details for all our members.