Somerset is part of South West
Landlord register deadline in Somerset
Register by 14 November 2027
Registration opens on 15 August 2027, in 289 days. You can register early from 15 December 2026.
Email me before 14 November 2027
Subject to Parliament: the register's regulations were laid before Parliament on 9 September 2026 and still need approval. The dates and the £65 fee come from the government's announcements and could change. The draft regulations.
South West is the last of 9 English regions to register. See every region's dates.
How many rented homes in Somerset need registering?
Somerset had 44,331 privately rented homes at the 2021 Census, 18% of households, below England's 20%. That's the 10th lowest of 27 councils in South West. Each of those homes needs registering by 14 November 2027.
The average private rent in Somerset was £1,021 a month in September 2026, below the South West average of £1,251. It's the 12th cheapest of 26 councils in South West. Rents rose 6.3% over the year, against 4.2% across the region.
| 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms | 4 or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed £695 | 2 bed £918 | 3 bed £1,142 | 4+ bed £1,628 |
At that rent, the £65 yearly register fee works out at about 2 days' rent per property.
Of homes in Somerset with an EPC, 54% are rated C or above, close to England's 53% and the 7th most efficient of 27 councils in South West. About 5 in 10 are D or below and would need work if the proposed EPC C rule for 2030 becomes law. EPC rules for landlords.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 (tenure), ONS Price Index of Private Rents, ONS EPC data for EPCs lodged in the 10 years to March 2025, all tenures.
Renting in Somerset? Check a rent increase against local rents, or see your rights as a renter.
Does Somerset have landlord licensing?
No. We found no selective or additional licensing in Somerset, checked 30 Oct 2026. Only larger HMOs need a licence.
What fines can Somerset give landlords?
Somerset can fine landlords who aren't registered once the deadline passes on 14 November 2027: up to £7,000, or £40,000 for false information or repeat breaches. How fines and enforcement work.
Somerset's civil penalty policy
This predates the Renters' Rights Act. Expect Somerset to publish an update before it starts enforcing in November 2027.
Get an email before your deadline
One email when registration opens for your area, then 30 and 7 days before the deadline. Nothing else.
Questions landlords ask
When do landlords in Somerset have to register?
By 14 November 2027. Properties in Somerset follow the South West timetable, which opens on 15 August 2027. The deadline follows the property, so it applies wherever you live.
Do I need a licence to rent out a property in Somerset?
Only for larger HMOs, as far as we've found. We haven't recorded a selective or additional licensing scheme in Somerset, so the national mandatory HMO licence (5 or more people from 2 or more households) is the one to check.
Has Somerset updated its fines policy for the Renters' Rights Act?
Not yet, as far as we can find. Its latest published policy, Civil Penalties Policy (Housing and Planning Act 2016 and Electrical Safety Regulations) (approved 7 July 2025, from 1 August 2025), predates the Act. Expect an update before enforcement starts in November 2027.
What is the average rent in Somerset?
£1,021 a month in September 2026, according to the ONS. A two-bedroom home averaged £918. The £65 yearly register fee is about 2 days' average rent.
Councils like Somerset
Somerset's nearest matches in South West on rent and the share of homes rented privately. All share the 14 November 2027 deadline.
- South Hams £1,014 a month
- Teignbridge £965 a month
- Cornwall £995 a month
- Dorset £1,059 a month
- Wiltshire £1,091 a month
- East Devon £977 a month