Most of the cost and risk in an HMO is decided at the design stage. In Castle Bromwich we start by measuring every room and checking Solihull Council's position on licensing and planning, then build the specification around it.
Quotes list each item of work, so you can see where the money goes and compare like for like.
HMO rules in Solihull Council
| Rule | Solihull Council |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licence (5+ people) | In force everywhere in England |
| Additional HMO licensing | Not confirmed |
| Selective licensing | Not confirmed |
| Article 4 direction for small HMOs | Proposed The council is exploring a direction for smaller HMOs; none in force when checked |
Checked October 2026 against Solihull Council's HMO licensing page. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for your address before any work starts.
Solihull Council has said it is exploring an Article 4 direction for smaller HMOs. None was in force when we checked. Seven or more occupants always needs planning permission. We couldn't confirm whether Solihull Council runs additional licensing, so we check with the council for the address.
HMO compliance audits for Castle Bromwich landlords
An audit of an HMO in Castle Bromwich checks the house the way a licensing officer would: room sizes, fire safety, amenities, certificates and paperwork. You get a written, prioritised fix list, so you know what needs doing before an inspection, renewal or purchase.
Councils across the West Midlands set their own HMO standards on top of the national rules. Our audits of houses in Castle Bromwich check against both, and we can quote for any work the report identifies once you have read it.
- Written report with a prioritised, photographed fix list
- Certificates and tenancy paperwork checked for gaps and dates
- Every bedroom measured, including the 1.5 m ceiling rule
- Fire precautions and fire risk assessment reviewed
- Licence conditions checked against the house as it is