Most of the cost and risk in an HMO is decided at the design stage. In Tipton we start by measuring every room and checking Sandwell Council's position on licensing and planning, then build the specification around it.
Our team is based in Great Barr, Birmingham, about 7 miles from Tipton. That keeps survey visits, site meetings and follow-up inspections easy to arrange.
HMO rules in Sandwell Council
| Rule | Sandwell Council |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licence (5+ people) | In force everywhere in England |
| Additional HMO licensing | In force Whole borough, 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2029 |
| Selective licensing | None found |
| Article 4 direction for small HMOs | Proposed Cabinet approved an immediate borough-wide direction on 14 October 2026; not confirmed as in force when checked |
Checked October 2026 against Sandwell Council's HMO licensing page. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for your address before any work starts.
Sandwell Council's cabinet approved an immediate borough-wide Article 4 direction on 14 October 2026. We could not confirm whether it has been made, so we check with the council before any change of use. Seven or more occupants always needs planning permission. Sandwell Council also runs additional licensing across its whole area (until 30 September 2029), so smaller HMOs with three or four people from two or more households need a licence too.
HMO compliance audits for Tipton landlords
An audit of an HMO in Tipton 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 Tipton 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
- Licence conditions checked against the house as it is
- Fire precautions and fire risk assessment reviewed
- Management Regulations 2006 duties checked on site
- Certificates and tenancy paperwork checked for gaps and dates