South West · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Plymouth
✓ Hand-verified 27 May 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, Plymouth 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.
Plymouth 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.
No active selective licensing scheme in Plymouth. Plymouth City Council has not adopted selective or additional licensing powers — only mandatory HMO licensing under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 applies. The council's 2014 HMO Licensing Policy explicitly states that while local authorities have the power to introduce selective and additional licensing, "these powers have not been adopted in Plymouth". HMO concentration in areas near the University of Plymouth is managed through planning controls rather than licensing — an Article 4 Direction has been in force since 14 September 2012 in several inner-city neighbourhoods (including Stonehouse and surrounding student areas) removing permitted development rights for C3 (single dwelling) to C4 (small HMO) conversions. Landlords renting privately rented single-household properties in Plymouth are not required to obtain a selective licence regardless of which ward the property is located in.
No active additional HMO licensing scheme in Plymouth. Only mandatory HMO licensing under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 and the 2018 Order applies — properties occupied by 5 or more persons forming 2 or more households who share basic amenities require a mandatory HMO licence. Smaller HMOs (3 or 4 occupants) do not require an HMO licence in Plymouth. Mandatory HMO licences are issued by Plymouth City Council's Community Connections team. Plymouth operates an Article 4 Direction (in force since 14 September 2012) in inner-city neighbourhoods which removes permitted development rights for converting single dwellings (C3) into small HMOs (C4) without planning permission — this is a planning control, not a licensing scheme.
Common questions
Does Plymouth have a selective licensing scheme?
No. Plymouth 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 Plymouth have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Plymouth 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 Plymouth?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Plymouth, 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: Plymouth licensing page →
Every landlord in Plymouth 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.
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