Landlord licensing in East Devon Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties let to five or more people, forming two or more households, who share a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet. All such properties in East Devon require a licence.

Additional licensing

East Devon Council may implement additional licensing to extend HMO licensing to properties with three or four tenants. Designations run for up to five years and are ward or street-specific; always check the exact address.

Selective licensing

East Devon Council can introduce selective licensing schemes for specific areas, requiring all private rented homes, including single-family lets, to be licensed. Always check for current designations relevant to your property.

Towns covered

East Devon

What this means for you

If you let a property in the East Devon Council area, your first step is to confirm which licensing regime applies to the exact address. Mandatory HMO licensing covers properties let to five or more people forming two or more households who share facilities. Additional licensing may extend this to smaller HMOs, with designations running for up to five years, often ward or street-specific. Selective licensing can mandate a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check current designations before advertising. The Renters' Rights Act 2025, with main provisions commencing in 2026, introduces periodic assured tenancies and a national landlord database. Landlords must hold a current gas safety record, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection and prescribed information, and all required prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website