HMO licensing in North Devon

North Devon District Council operates the national mandatory scheme. We found no additional or selective licensing scheme in force or proposed as of September 2026. Councils can introduce one after a public consultation, so it is worth setting an alert.

The published fee for a new HMO licence is £1,554.21, and £1,524.73 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

From North Devon Council's 'Environmental Health and Housing Services Fees & Charges 2026/27' (effective 1 April 2026), section 3.11 HMO (Housing Act 2004). Two-part fee scaled by number of units (bands 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16+). NEW applications: Part A + Part B = 1-5 units £530.64 + £1,023.57 = £1,554.21; 6-10 units £560.12 + £1,023.57 = £1,583.69; 11-15 units £619.08 + £1,023.57 = £1,642.65; 16+ units £648.56 + £1,023.57 = £1,672.13. RENEWALS: 1-5 units £501.16 + £1,023.57 = £1,524.73; 6-10 £530.64 + £1,023.57 = £1,554.21; 11-15 £589.60 + £1,023.57 = £1,613.17; 16+ £619.08 + £1,023.57 = £1,642.65. Part B is identical in every band; only Part A scales. The council's HMO landlord page says the fee is split into two parts: the first payable on application and the second only if the licence is granted (non-payment of the second part may lead to revocation); the fee schedule labels the parts A and B without stating which is which, so the instalments array [Part A, Part B] assumes A = first. No accredited-landlord discount is published. Copy of the full HMO register: £29.48. NB: the 2025/26 schedule quoted a flat £712.26 + £28.90 = £741.16; the 2026/27 schedule is a restructure and substantially higher. Totalgbp/renewalGbp shown are the base band (1-5 units).

Check the current fee on the council website (northdevon.gov.uk) before you apply.

National minimums for licensed HMOs are 6.51 m² for one adult and 10.22 m² for two adults; councils can apply higher local standards.

• The council's amenity standards document contains no detailed fire-detection specification; it points landlords to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, LACORS/CIEH fire safety guidance for existing housing and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. Treat detailed detection/door requirements as set case by case at inspection.
• A suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment by the responsible person is required and must accompany the licence application, along with fire detection system test reports and emergency lighting test reports.
• Legal minimum duties stated by the council: a smoke alarm on each storey containing living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any living room containing a fixed combustion appliance other than a gas cooker.
• Each shared kitchen must have 1 fire blanket and fire doors with 30/60 minute fire resistance (local standard), plus a mechanical extractor fan in addition to an openable window.
• Management duties (2006 Regulations): escape routes kept free of obstruction and in good repair, firefighting equipment and alarms maintained, fire escape notices clearly visible.

• Heating: fixed, occupier-controllable heating capable of maintaining 21C when outside is -1C; a heating appliance in each shower room or bathroom.
• Washing/WC ratios (occupiers sharing): 1-4 = 1 bathroom (fixed bath/shower) + 1 WC (may be in the bathroom); 5 = 1 bathroom + 1 separate WC with wash hand basin, or 2 complete bathrooms; 6-10 = 2 bathrooms + 2 WCs with basins (one WC may be in a bathroom), or 3 complete bathrooms; 11-15 = 3 bathrooms + 3 WCs, or 4 complete bathrooms; 16+ = 4 bathrooms + 4 WCs, or 5 complete bathrooms. Occupiers with exclusive en-suites are excluded from the count.
• Bathrooms: not more than two storeys from any bedroom; mechanical extraction to outside in addition to any window; fixed heating; every room with a toilet must have a wash hand basin (in each bedroom where reasonably practicable, else in shared bathrooms/WC compartments).
• Shared kitchen, 1-5 sharing: 1 oven with grill, 1 four-ring hob, 1 microwave, 1 sink with drainer and tiled splashback, 1 fridge-freezer (or 150L fridge + 150L freezer). 6-10 sharing: 2 ovens/grills, 2 four-ring hobs, 1 microwave, 2 sinks (or 1 sink + 1 dishwasher), 2 fridge-freezers. 11-15: 3 ovens/3 hobs/1 microwave, 3 sinks (or 2 + dishwasher), 3 fridge-freezers. 16+: 4 ovens/4 hobs/2 microwaves, 4 sinks (or 3 + dishwasher), 4 fridge-freezers (alternatives using microwave-grills permitted as tabulated).
• Kitchen extras: fixed impervious worktop minimum 500 mm x 2000 mm per 5 occupiers; sockets for every main appliance plus 1 per occupant; each occupant a double food-storage cupboard (min 0.16 m3) plus drawer space; no living accommodation more than two storeys from the shared kitchen.
• Individual (bedsit) kitchens: 1 person = oven/grill + 2-ring hob; 2 persons = oven/grill + 4-ring hob; sink with drainer, tiled splashback; 150L fridge with freezer compartment; worktop min 500 mm x 1000 mm.
• Waste (per 5 occupants): 7L food caddy, 23L food recycling bin, 55L green/black box, 55L blue box, brown bag, green bag, and a 240L wheeled refuse bin; storage for 7 days of recycling and up to 14 days of refuse. Holiday-let use (e.g. Airbnb) of rooms in a licensed HMO is not permitted.

• Basic DBS check — Basic Disclosure and Barring Service certificate for both the proposed licence holder and the proposed manager.
• Property plan with room dimensions — Plan of the HMO showing room dimensions.
• Fire risk assessment — Fire safety risk assessment for the property.
• Fire detection system test reports — Test/commissioning reports for the fire detection system.
• Emergency lighting test reports — Test reports for any emergency lighting.
• Electrical inspection report — Report from a competent electrician (EICR).
• Gas safety certificate — If applicable (gas supplied to the property).
• Energy Performance Certificate — Current EPC for the property.
• Evidence of insurance — Proof of insurance for the property.
• Fit and proper person evidence — Evidence under Section 66 Housing Act 2004 that the licence holder and any associated person (e.g. spouse or business partner) are fit and proper; see the council's Fit and Proper Person guidance (the fee schedule lists a separate Fit and Proper Person Application fee of £227.00 for its own purposes).

• northdevon.gov.uk
• northdevon.gov.uk
• northdevon.gov.uk
• northdevon.gov.uk
• northdevon.gov.uk

Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with North Devon District Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.