DIY InventoryLetting a property in West Devon: a landlord’s guide
Licensing, certificates, deposits and the local figures for landlords letting in West Devon.
General information as at October 2026, not legal advice. Always check the council’s current scheme before letting.
Landlord licensing in West Devon
- Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme.
- Additional HMO licensing: No additional HMO licensing scheme; only national mandatory HMO licensing applies (five or more people from two or more households).
Separately, every large HMO (5 or more people forming 2 or more households) needs a mandatory HMO licence anywhere in England. Source: West Devon Borough Council.
West Devon Borough 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 West Devon 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 West Devon homes
- Granite and stone cottages: photograph damp patches, condensation and mould, which are common in solid-walled homes on and around Dartmoor.
- Homes off the gas network: record the oil tank level, LPG bottles, wood burners and any private water supply or septic tank.
- Cob and thatched cottages around Hatherleigh: photograph the thatch, lime render and timber windows, and note any fire safety advice.
- Moorland homes in Princetown and Yelverton: check heating, gutters and windows for weather damage after winter.
- Flats over shops in Tavistock and Okehampton: note the separate entrance, stairs, meters and any shared bin store.
- Farm cottages: photograph yards, gates, outbuildings and the access track if it is part of the tenancy.
Homes sold in West Devon in the last 12 months
| Type | Sales | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Detached | 202 | £478,762 |
| Terraced | 157 | £242,496 |
| Semi-detached | 126 | £299,093 |
| Flat or maisonette | 59 | £157,588 |
| Other | 48 | £557,873 |
HM Land Registry Price Paid Data since 27 October 2025, updated monthly. Look up any address in the free property report.
Letting in West Devon: questions
Is there selective licensing in West Devon?
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 West Devon?
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 West Devon?
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.
Nearby areas
South HamsTeignbridgeMid DevonTorridgePlymouthCornwallAll areas