# Licensing in East Devon

> East Devon has no selective or additional licensing scheme in force.

- Checked 26 Oct 2026 (researched_at 2026-10-26, verified_at 2026-10-26)
- Region: South West
- ONS code: E07000040
- Web page: https://lettance.com/councils/east-devon
- API: https://lettance.com/api/v1/councils/east-devon

## Licensing schemes

### Mandatory HMO licence: Mandatory HMO licensing (national scheme, East Devon fees)

- Status: In force (`in_force`)
- Area: The whole of East Devon District (national scheme).
- Fee: Published standard fee: £600. Application fee guidance page (last updated 8 July 2026): new licence, or relicence with material changes, £600 for up to 5 occupants and £800 for 6 or more occupants; relicensing with no material changes £500 (up to 5) or £700 (6 or more). Subsequent reminder letters £60 each; pre-application advice with inspection £150 per visit. The fee may be varied following consultation with the Private Sector Housing Manager.
- Who needs one: HMOs occupied by five or more people making up two or more households, including buildings or converted flats where the households lack or share basic amenities such as a toilet, washing or cooking facilities. The council's page says section 257 converted blocks are not covered by mandatory licensing.
- Exemptions: Statutory exemptions under Schedule 14 to the Housing Act 2004.
- Apply: https://eastdevon.gov.uk/housing-and-homelessness/private-sector-housing/houses-in-multiple-occupation/mandatory-hmo-licence-application-form/
- Confidence: High
- How we checked this: The fee page says 'HMO Licences will be issued depending on compliance, from 1 year up to 5 years.' Licences are not transferable; a change of licence holder needs a new application at the full fee. Renewals use a renewal declaration unless there are material changes. The licensing page (last updated 8 July 2026) still carries 2018 wording about the extension of mandatory licensing and says operating without a licence is liable on conviction to an unlimited fine. Contact pshousing@eastdevon.gov.uk.
- Sources: https://eastdevon.gov.uk/housing-and-homelessness/private-sector-housing/houses-in-multiple-occupation/licensing-of-houses-in-multiple-occupation/, https://eastdevon.gov.uk/housing-and-homelessness/private-sector-housing/houses-in-multiple-occupation/hmo-licensing-application-form-guidance/application-fee/, https://eastdevon.gov.uk/housing-and-homelessness/private-sector-housing/houses-in-multiple-occupation/hmo-licensing-application-form-guidance/hmo-license-renewal/

## Article 4 for house shares

Not yet confirmed: whether East Devon has an Article 4 direction on house shares.

## Civil penalty policy

Not yet confirmed: we have not found East Devon's civil penalty policy yet.

## Consultations

We found no consultations when we researched East Devon.

## Not yet confirmed

We could not settle these points when we researched East Devon on 26 October 2026. Check them with the council before you rely on them.

- No additional or selective licensing scheme, proposal or consultation was found on the council's HMO pages (which describe mandatory licensing only), its sitemap, or East Devon Cabinet, Council and scrutiny agendas from January to November 2026. The council does not expressly state the absence.
- East Devon's housing civil penalty policy, and whether it reflects the Renters' Rights Act 2025, was not located on the council website (sitemap of 3,500+ pages searched) or in 2026 committee agendas.
- Absence of an HMO Article 4 direction is inferred; East Devon publishes no Article 4 data to planning.data.gov.uk.

## Landlord register

The national landlord register is separate from licensing. East Devon is in South West, where registration is planned from 15 August 2027 to 14 November 2027. The regulations are still in draft. Read about the register: https://lettance.com/register

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From Lettance: https://lettance.com/councils/east-devon (catalogue edition 31 October 2026). This is information, not legal advice. Check the linked sources, and the council's own pages, before you act.