Landlord licensing in South Hams Council

Licensing at a glance

HMO licensing

Mandatory HMO licensing applies to Houses in Multiple Occupation occupied by five or more persons forming two or more separate households who share basic amenities like a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet.

Additional licensing

Additional licensing can extend licensing requirements to smaller HMOs. Designations run for up to five years and may apply to specific wards or streets, so confirm the position for the exact address.

Selective licensing

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 or let a property.

Towns covered

South Hams

What this means for you

If you let a property in the South Hams Council area, first confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to larger properties. Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs, and designations run for up to five years, often being ward- or street-specific. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check the council's current designations before advertising. The Renters' Rights Act 2025, with main provisions commencing in 2026, replaces fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies and ends section 21 no-fault evictions. Landlords must also now register on the national landlord database and comply with the ombudsman scheme. Ensure you have a current gas safety record where applicable, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and deposit protection with prescribed information.

Official links

• Licensing pages
• Council website