South West · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in North Devon
✓ Hand-verified 20 Aug 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, North Devon 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.
North Devon sets this fee under section 63(3) of the Housing Act 2004. Its current charge is not yet recorded here.
The council’s own licensing page carries the charge that applies today — confirm it there before you budget.
Not established is not the same as free.
North Devon District Council states the licensing position in its own words on its HMO guidance: "By law, we must licence all privately rented HMOs that are housing five or more persons forming two or more households." That is the national mandatory duty under s.55 of the Housing Act 2004 presented as the whole of the council's licensing obligation. No selective designation under s.80 appears on northdevon.gov.uk, and no designation, cabinet report or consultation between 2020 and 2026 was located, including for Ilfracombe. North Devon splits its licensing estate across two domains: northdevon.gov.uk carries policy and ndclicensing.northdevon.gov.uk carries applications, and neither carries a selective scheme. Distinguished from Torridge, a separate district in the same corner of Devon, and from West Devon, Mid Devon, Teignbridge and Devon County Council. Established 20 Aug 2026.
North Devon District Council states: "By law, we must licence all privately rented HMOs that are housing five or more persons forming two or more households", presenting the national mandatory duty as the whole of its licensing obligation. No s.56 additional designation appears on either northdevon.gov.uk or ndclicensing.northdevon.gov.uk, and no designation or consultation 2020 to 2026 was located. Established 20 Aug 2026.
Common questions
Does North Devon have a selective licensing scheme?
No. North Devon 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 North Devon have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. North Devon 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 North Devon?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including North Devon, 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: North Devon licensing page →
Every landlord in North Devon 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 North Devon property in 30 seconds
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