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Council websiteLandlord licensing in Plymouth City Council
South West
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
Licensing scorecard
Enhanced coverageNo active local selective or additional licensing scheme is currently shown in our data.
Selective licensing
No active selective scheme shownAdditional HMO licensing
No active additional scheme shownMandatory HMO licensing
Applies across England- Source confidence
- High
- Boundary confidence
- No active local scheme boundary to assess
- Public register
- Register exists but is clunky (2/5)
- Last reviewed
- 27 March 2026
- Next review due
- Not scheduled
- Sources recorded
- 7
Our current data is a research summary, not a legal record. This should be verified with the council before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action. Mandatory HMO licensing may still apply even where no local additional or selective scheme is recorded.
Recommended next step
Confirm the detail before you rely on it
Our current data gives a useful starting point, but the area match or scheme detail may need confirming. Verify on the official council source, or get a written check if you want a documented answer.
What still adds uncertainty
- Mandatory HMO licensing can apply based on occupancy and households, which cannot be confirmed from a postcode alone.
Buying, refinancing, or completing conveyancing? A due diligence report pulls the licensing position together with the official routes so the risk is documented before you commit. This is an information service and is not legal advice.
Verify with the council
Our current data is based on publicly available information. Always verify the latest licensing position, scheme boundaries, fees, and exemptions with Plymouth City Council.
Council updates
Get updates for Plymouth City Council
We will email you if Plymouth City Council introduces, renews, or changes a licensing scheme. Free, occasional updates only. Always verify final requirements on the council website.
Free, occasional licensing updates only. You can unsubscribe at any time.
If you are still unsure
Keep the informational journey first. Use the free checker, the £29 review, or alerts only if you want help resolving uncertainty or tracking future change.
Property Licensing Check
£29 · Live now
A property-specific PDF licensing report with a verification email template, current scheme fees, and a £30,000 risk context block — delivered to your inbox automatically.
Continue to secure paymentAlerts and monitoring
£12.99/month · Coming soon
A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.
See alerts and monitoringThese are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.
Check a postcode in Plymouth City Council
Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.
Public licensing register
Councils must keep a public register of licensed properties. How easy it is to use varies a lot between councils.
- Public register found
- Yes
- Search method
- Map view
- Register usability
- Register exists but is clunky (2/5)
Register appears to cover
HMO
Appears to cover HMO licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.
Register notes
A publicly accessible HMO register map is available online via Google Maps (https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=18aFvqAaLcsKEfMBWj56arl48VY1SkzI). The map displays licensed HMO properties. A full printed copy of the register (including landlord names, addresses, managing agents, and permitted occupancy numbers) can be requested for a £50 fee, or viewed in person by appointment. Properties with applications currently being processed do not appear in the public register. Contact licensing@plymouth.gov.uk to request a copy or book an in-person viewing.
The council register and official source pages should be treated as the source of truth. Our summary is a guide to help you find and use them, not a substitute for the live register. How public registers work.
Research summary
These public research signals help show how recently this page was reviewed and what still needs checking before you rely on it.
Last reviewed
27 March 2026
Research confidence
High (88/100)
Sources checked
7
Research notes
Key data points confirmed from multiple official Plymouth City Council web pages. Fee amounts (£1,057 initial, £1,002 renewal) extracted directly from the council's application page. Selective and additional licensing status explicitly confirmed as 'not adopted' on council website. Policy dates (April 2024 - March 2029) confirmed from council sources. Register format (Google Maps map plus £50 printed copy) confirmed from HMO landing page.
Council contact details
- Phone
- 01752 668000
Important to verify
- Physical contact address for the HMO licensing team not confirmed
- Exact start date of the very first mandatory HMO licensing in Plymouth (pre-2024 policy) not identified
- Whether the Google Maps register is kept fully up to date or has any limitations
Supporting sources
Mandatory HMO licensing
All councils in England must operate mandatory HMO licensing. This applies to properties with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households, regardless of location. If your property meets these criteria, you must apply for a mandatory HMO licence from Plymouth City Council.
Not sure whether the rules apply? Use the HMO licence checker to check whether a property may need an HMO licence, then verify the current position with Plymouth City Council.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across the entire Plymouth City Council area, as required by national legislation under the Housing Act 2004. Covers all large HMOs occupied by 5 or more persons from 2 or more separate households. The current policy was adopted by Full Council on 29 January 2024 and is effective from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2029.
- HMO fee guide
- £1,057
- Fee notes
- Initial application fee: £1,057 (full fee) or £946 (with accreditation discount). Renewal fee: £1,002 (full fee) or £890 (with accreditation discount). All fees are non-refundable. Incorrect fee payments will be invoiced for the difference. £100 discount for members of an approved accreditation scheme. Accreditation discount applies to both initial and renewal applications.
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
- Start date shown
- 1 April 2024
Current licensing policy adopted by Full Council on 29 January 2024, following public consultation, effective 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2029. Applications processed within 12 months; currently within 3 months. HMO licences are not transferable - sale of a licensed HMO must be notified to the council. Variations to an existing licence can be requested. Applications processed online via Achieve Service portal. Planning permission for HMO use is the applicant's responsibility; planning queries to 01752 304366 or planning@plymouth.gov.uk. Property types covered: Properties occupied by 5 or more persons forming 2 or more separate households sharing toilets, bathrooms or cooking facilities (large HMOs). Accounts for less than 15% of Plymouth's HMO stock.
Other compliance requirements
In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:
- Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) - renewed annually
- EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) - every 5 years
- EPC rating of E or above - required before letting
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms - checked at start of tenancy
- Deposit protection - within 30 days of receiving deposit
- Right to Rent checks - before tenancy starts
Common questions about licensing in Plymouth City Council
- Do I need a landlord licence in Plymouth City Council?
- Our current data does not show active selective or additional licensing schemes in Plymouth City Council. However, mandatory HMO licensing still applies across England to properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more households. Always verify with the council as schemes can change.
- How much does a property licence cost in Plymouth City Council?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Plymouth City Council are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: £1,057. Fees can vary and may include discounts for early applications. Always check the latest fees on the council website before applying.
- Does mandatory HMO licensing apply in Plymouth City Council?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Plymouth City Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Plymouth City Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Plymouth City Council?
- Operating a licensable property without the correct licence can lead to enforcement action. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, GOV.UK guidance refers to civil penalties of up to £40,000 for relevant offences, with different treatment for breaches and for offences committed before that date. Earlier cases may still be assessed under previous rules. Tenants or local authorities may be able to apply for a rent repayment order. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. From 1 May 2026, Section 21 notices can no longer be used for existing or new private tenancies in England. Transitional rules may still matter for notices served before that date.
Still unsure? Choose the next step that fits you
Use these routes to move from the Plymouth City Council summary into the most relevant next action for your property, role, or research task.
Landlord with a standard let→
Start with a postcode if you want a property-specific route before relying on the council summary alone.
Shared occupancy or possible HMO→
Use the HMO checker if occupier numbers, households, or room-sharing could change the answer.
Check if a property has an HMO licence→
Use this if you need to check whether a property holds an HMO licence, or find the council's public HMO register.
Investor, buyer, or conveyancer→
Use the due diligence guide if this council page is part of a purchase, refinance, or pre-letting review.
Letting agent or portfolio manager→
Preview the monitoring route if you need ongoing watchlists and recurring scheme-change visibility.
Tenant checking landlord compliance→
Use the tenant guide if you rent a property and want to check whether your landlord holds the right licence.
Important disclaimer
This tool provides general information about landlord licensing schemes in England. Results are based on publicly available data and may not reflect recent changes. This is not legal advice. Always verify licensing requirements directly with your local council before making decisions.