Licensing in force Citywide additional HMO licensing + selective licensing in 25 wards.
Licensing schemes in Birmingham
| Scheme | Applies to | Area | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Homes let to 5 or more people from 2 or more households who share facilities | Every council in England | Since 2006 (national law) |
| Additional HMO licensing | Homes let to 3 or 4 people from 2 or more households | All 69 wards | 5 June 2023 to 4 June 2028 |
| Selective licensing | Almost all privately rented homes | 25 wards: Acocks Green, Alum Rock, Aston, Balsall Heath West, Birchfield, Bordesley and Highgate, Bordesley Green, Bournbrook and Selly Park, Edgbaston, Gravelly Hill, Handsworth, Heartlands, Holyhead, Ladywood, Lozells, North Edgbaston, Small Heath, Soho and Jewellery Quarter, South Yardley, Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East, Sparkhill, Stockland Green, Tyseley and Hay Mills, Ward End, Yardley West and Stechford | 5 June 2023 to 4 June 2028 |
What this means for landlords in Birmingham
- Any HMO with 3 or more sharers in Birmingham needs a licence.
How to check your property
- Work out who lives there: how many people, and whether they are one household or sharers.
- Check the exact address against the council's map or address checker. Schemes often cover parts of wards, and boundaries change.
- Apply before you let, or straight away if a new scheme has started. Letting without a required licence can lead to a fine or civil penalty and a rent repayment order.
- Check planning too. Some areas need planning permission to turn a family home into a small HMO (an Article 4 direction).
Our free council finder tells you which council covers a postcode, and the HMO compliance checker helps you work out whether a property is an HMO.
Official information: Birmingham City Council: private housing
Other councils
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to rent out a house in Birmingham?
It depends on the property, who lives there and exactly where it is. Every council licenses larger HMOs (5 or more people from 2 or more households). In Birmingham, additional hmo licensing applies to homes let to 3 or 4 people from 2 or more households in All 69 wards (5 June 2023 to 4 June 2028); selective licensing applies to almost all privately rented homes in the designated wards (5 June 2023 to 4 June 2028). Check the address with Birmingham City Council.
What happens if I let a property in Birmingham without a licence?
Letting a property that needs a licence without one is a criminal offence. The council can prosecute or issue a civil penalty, and tenants or the council can apply for a rent repayment order.
How does LandlordHub help with licensing?
LandlordHub tracks each property's licence alongside gas, electrical, EPC and other certificates, and reminds you before anything expires. The council finder and HMO checker are free to use without an account.