Letting in Cornwall: the rules and the numbers

What applies to rented homes in Cornwall, in one place: the licensing schemes and where they run, planning limits on house shares, what housing allowance pays, typical rents, and how local homes rate on energy. Every figure shows its source and date. For one property, enter its address above.

Last checked: 26 September 2026

Licences

No council licensing scheme runs here right now - the lines below say what else to know.

Selective licensing: Not here
Additional licensing: Not here
Article 4 on house shares: In parts of the area

House shares and planning - turning a home in parts of the council's area into a house share for 3 to 6 people from more than one household needs planning permission first. The council calls this an Article 4 direction.

Check where the Article 4 direction applies

Anywhere in England, a house share of 5 or more people from more than one household needs a licence from the council - an HMO licence.

Source: Cornwall Council, checked 26 September 2026

Housing allowance

Housing allowance is the most that benefits pay towards a tenant's rent each month.

In the Kernow West area: £392.50 for a room in a house share, £550.00 for a 1-bedroom home, £695.00 for a 2-bedroom home, £815.00 for a 3-bedroom home, £1,100.00 for a 4-bedroom home.
In the North Cornwall and Devon Borders area: £368.33 for a room in a house share, £475.00 for a 1-bedroom home, £609.00 for a 2-bedroom home, £725.00 for a 3-bedroom home, £950.00 for a 4-bedroom home.
In the Plymouth area: £400.00 for a room in a house share, £550.00 for a 1-bedroom home, £675.00 for a 2-bedroom home, £800.00 for a 3-bedroom home, £975.00 for a 4-bedroom home.

Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Local Housing Allowance rates from 1 April 2026

Rents

The average rent here is £1,000 a month, up 1.8% on a year before.

1 bedroom: Average rent £688; Housing allowance £550.00 Kernow West; Housing allowance £475.00 North Cornwall and Devon Borders; Housing allowance £550.00 Plymouth
2 bedrooms: Average rent £880; Housing allowance £695.00 Kernow West; Housing allowance £609.00 North Cornwall and Devon Borders; Housing allowance £675.00 Plymouth
3 bedrooms: Average rent £1,077; Housing allowance £815.00 Kernow West; Housing allowance £725.00 North Cornwall and Devon Borders; Housing allowance £800.00 Plymouth
4 or more bedrooms: Average rent £1,502; Housing allowance £1,100.00 Kernow West; Housing allowance £950.00 North Cornwall and Devon Borders; Housing allowance £975.00 Plymouth

Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Local Housing Allowance rates from 1 April 2026

1 bedroom: £688 a month
2 bedrooms: £880 a month
3 bedrooms: £1,077 a month
4 or more bedrooms: £1,502 a month

Source: Office for National Statistics private rents, August 2026 (provisional - it may still be revised)

Energy ratings

46% of local homes with an energy certificate are rated C or better.

Source: Office for National Statistics, energy certificates up to March 2025