HMO Licensing

HMOs must be licensed by the council if the property is let to five or more people who form two or more households.

It is an offence to operate a licensable HMO without a licence. You cannot legally collect any rent on the property and you may be prosecuted. You may also have to repay any rent received over the previous 12-month period.

The HMO Licence fee is £446.40. The licence needs to be renewed every five years.

The 'Fit and Proper' fee is £144.00.

To obtain a licence, we must be satisfied that:

  • The property meets the current housing and fire safety standards to ensure it is safe for tenants
  • The property meets amenity standards, such as an adequate number of bathrooms and cooking facilities
  • The landlord or managing agent is a 'fit and proper' person
  • The property and tenancy agreements are managed appropriately

The following documentation must be provided:

  • Gas Safety Certificate
  • Electrical Condition Report
  • A floor plan with all rooms labelled, such as bedroom, kitchen, etc and the dimensions for each room

If you would like to apply for an HMO licence, or change an existing licence, please email us at licensing@swdevon.gov.uk.

Changes to HMO licensing

From 1 October 2018, the scope of mandatory HMO licensing has been extended to cover certain HMOs, including flats occupied by five or more persons in two or more households, regardless of the number of storeys.

The details are contained in the order "The Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018."

If you manage a property coming under this new definition you must apply for a licence by 1 October 2018.

HMO Register

Under HMO regulations, the council is required to keep and publish a register of HMOs in our area, and the licence holder. Please use the button below to open the licence register.

HMO Licence Register