South West · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Exeter
✓ Hand-verified 28 May 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, Exeter does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. Here's the current position.
Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Part A | £290 |
| Part B | £750 |
| Total | £1,040 |
| Each bedroom for the sixth | £10.50 |
- £125 reduction at Part B stage for landlords accredited under a nationally recognised scheme
Exeter — exeter.gov.uk, read 19 Aug 2026
Exeter City Council operates mandatory HMO licensing only under the Housing Act 2004 (5+ persons forming 2+ households sharing amenities). The council has NOT designated any area for selective licensing. HMO control in Exeter is delivered through planning policy: an Article 4 Direction (originally 2010, replaced 28 March 2024 with a new direction with non-immediate effect) covers an area around the University of Exeter and city centre, requiring planning permission to convert C3 dwellings to C4 small HMOs. The council also adopted an HMO Supplementary Planning Document on 12 December 2023.
Exeter previously operated an additional HMO licensing scheme from 23 February 2015 to 23 February 2020. The council's own website explicitly states the additional licensing scheme has now expired. It has NOT been renewed and there is no current additional licensing scheme. Smaller HMOs with 3-4 occupants are not subject to discretionary licensing in Exeter - only the planning controls under Article 4 apply. Mandatory HMO licence fees for 2024/2025: Part A £290 plus Part B £750 (with £10.50 per bedroom above 5).
Common questions
Does Exeter have a selective licensing scheme?
No. Exeter does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Does Exeter have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Exeter does not currently operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Do I need an HMO licence in Exeter?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Exeter, where a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households who share basic amenities. Smaller shared houses may also need a licence where an additional licensing scheme applies.
- Free landlord compliance check — five questions, no account
- Tenancy agreement checker — findings cited to the Act and section
All property licensing in South West →
Source: Exeter licensing page →
Every landlord in Exeter also needs
A valid Gas Safety certificate (annual), an EICR (every 5 years), a valid EPC, a protected deposit, smoke & CO alarms, the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet, and a current How to Rent guide — plus the new Section 8 possession rules since Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026.
Check your Exeter property in 30 seconds
Free, no account — see exactly what applies to your property, then let Landlord HQ track every deadline from £9.99/mo.