DIY InventoryLetting a property in South Hams: a landlord’s guide
Licensing, certificates, deposits and the local figures for landlords letting in South Hams.
General information as at October 2026, not legal advice. Always check the council’s current scheme before letting.
Landlord licensing in South Hams
- Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme.
- Additional HMO licensing: No additional HMO licensing scheme: a licence is needed only for HMOs let to five or more people forming two or more households (the national mandatory scheme).
- Fees: £446.40 for a five-year HMO licence plus a £144 fit and proper person fee
Separately, every large HMO (5 or more people forming 2 or more households) needs a mandatory HMO licence anywhere in England. Source: South Hams District Council.
South Hams District Council: private renting and licensing
Safety certificates
- Gas Safety (CP12): every 12 months, by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- EICR: at least every 5 years, by a qualified electrician.
- EPC: rated E or above, valid for 10 years.
- Alarms: a smoke alarm on every storey, and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance (not gas cookers).
Book a Gas Safety certificate, EICR or EPC in South Hams at a fixed price, and keep track of expiry dates in the free landlord dashboard.
Deposits and the inventory
Protect the deposit in the DPS, TDS or mydeposits within 30 days. At the end, the scheme decides any dispute on the evidence, above all the check-in compared with the check-out, so the inventory is what protects you.
What to record in South Hams homes
- Coastal homes in Dartmouth, Salcombe and the estuary villages: check window frames, outside paint and metal fittings for salt corrosion, and photograph damp in north-facing rooms.
- Stone and cob cottages: photograph walls inside for damp, beams and uneven floors, and the condition of any wood burner or open fire.
- Rural homes off the gas grid: record the oil tank and gauge level or LPG tank, and any septic tank or treatment plant cover.
- Homes on steep streets in Totnes and Dartmouth: photograph steps, handrails, retaining walls and parking arrangements, which are often disputed.
- New-build homes in Sherford and Ivybridge: photograph snagging items, sealant, paintwork and the garden, and note who maintains shared areas.
Homes sold in South Hams in the last 12 months
| Type | Sales | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Detached | 349 | £600,208 |
| Terraced | 286 | £306,037 |
| Semi-detached | 216 | £342,486 |
| Flat or maisonette | 109 | £274,260 |
| Other | 63 | £555,598 |
HM Land Registry Price Paid Data since 27 October 2025, updated monthly. Look up any address in the free property report.
Letting in South Hams: questions
Is there selective licensing in South Hams?
No selective licensing scheme. Check the council’s page before letting: schemes are renewed and changed every few years.
What certificates does a landlord need in South Hams?
A Gas Safety certificate every 12 months (where there is gas), an electrical safety report (EICR) at least every 5 years, and a valid EPC rated E or above, plus working smoke alarms on every storey and carbon monoxide alarms by fixed combustion appliances.
How long do I have to protect a deposit?
30 days from receiving it, in the DPS, TDS or mydeposits, with the prescribed information given to the tenant in the same 30 days.
Do I need an inventory as a landlord in South Hams?
It isn’t a legal requirement, but without a signed check-in record it is very hard to claim anything from the deposit at the end. With DIY Inventory you can do it yourself for £30, or send your tenant a link to do it.