# Licensing in Torridge

> Torridge 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: E07000046
- Web page: https://lettance.com/councils/torridge
- API: https://lettance.com/api/v1/councils/torridge

## Licensing schemes

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

- Status: In force (`in_force`)
- Area: The whole of Torridge District (national scheme).
- Fee: Published standard fee: £787. Fees and Charges 2026/27 (columns 2025/26 and 2026/27), 'Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licence': Part A application fee (plus DBS fee) £446.00 (2025/26 £425.00); Part B grant fee (management and enforcement) £341.00 (£325.00); renewal £787.00 (£750.00). Variation: £84.00 with inspection, £37.00 without. standard_gbp is Part A plus Part B for a new licence (£446 + £341).
- Licence length: 5 years
- Who needs one: HMOs occupied by 5 or more persons living in two or more separate households who share an amenity such as a kitchen, toilet, bathroom or lounge, regardless of storeys (since 1 October 2018).
- Exemptions: Statutory exemptions under Schedule 14 to the Housing Act 2004.
- Apply: https://www.torridge.gov.uk/hmos
- Licence conditions: https://www.torridge.gov.uk/media/423/HMO-Licensing-Requirements/pdf/HMO_Licensing_Requirements_Torridge.pdf?m=1459774714897
- Confidence: High
- How we checked this: The council's page says it 'usually issues mandatory HMO Licences for five year terms, but this may vary based on the details of the application.' Apply online through GOV.UK or by the downloadable form. HMO standards are in Appendix C of the Housing Enforcement Policy. A public register (1 October 2026) is published. The 'HMO Licensing Scope and Schemes' document linked from the page describes additional licensing only in general terms; no Torridge designation is mentioned.
- Sources: https://www.torridge.gov.uk/hmos, https://www.torridge.gov.uk/media/28471/Fees-and-Charges-2026-27/pdf/Fees_and_Charges_26-27_-_Final_Version.pdf?m=1775811906017

## Article 4 for house shares

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

Council source: https://www.torridge.gov.uk/article/18566/Article-4-Directions

## Civil penalty policy

The council's policy sets how it decides the size of a fine. The version we found has been updated for the Renters' Rights Act.

'Civil Penalty Policy: Civil penalties under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and other housing legislation', issue 2 dated 1 October 2026, adopted with an updated Housing Enforcement Policy by the Community and Resources Committee (council news, September 2026). Starting point with a 'Landlord Type' adjustment of minus or plus 20%: failure to obtain an HMO licence (s.72(1)) starting point £17,000 (range £13,600 to £20,400), statutory maximum £40,000.

Policy: https://www.torridge.gov.uk/media/28533/Housing-Civil-Penalty-Policy-October-2026/pdf/Housing_Civil_Penalty_Policy_-_2026_v2.0_-_August_2026.pdf?m=1792076431617

## Consultations

We found no consultations when we researched Torridge.

## Not yet confirmed

We could not settle these points when we researched Torridge 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 Torridge committee agendas from January to October 2026. The council does not expressly state the absence.
- Most Torridge Article 4 documents are image scans; their titles name rural sites, villages and conservation areas, and the two text documents checked (Land South-West of Horns Cross; Higher Winsford, provisional 29 July 2026) remove householder and minor-operations rights only. No HMO (C3 to C4) direction was found.

## Landlord register

The national landlord register is separate from licensing. Torridge 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/torridge (catalogue edition 31 October 2026). This is information, not legal advice. Check the linked sources, and the council's own pages, before you act.