Landlord licensing in Mid Devon Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties occupied by five or more people forming two or more households who share basic amenities like a kitchen, bathroom or toilet.

Additional licensing

Mid Devon Council does not currently have any additional licensing schemes in operation for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

Selective licensing

Mid Devon Council does not currently have any selective licensing schemes in operation. Any future schemes would require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets.

Typical fees

For mandatory HMO licences, the fee is £988 for a new application and £644 for a renewal. These fees may be subject to change, so always verify current costs with the council.

Towns covered

Mid Devon

What this means for you

If you let a property in the Mid Devon Council area, the first step is to confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property let to five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs. Designations run for up to five years and are often ward or street specific, so confirm the position for the exact address. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check the current designations before you advertise. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commenced 2026) replaced fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies and ended section 21 no-fault evictions. Whatever the licensing position, keep a robust evidence pack for every Mid Devon Council tenancy: a current gas safety record where gas is present, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection and prescribed information, and the required prescribed documents (including the government's 'How to Rent' guide and the EPC) served before the tenancy starts.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website