HMO conversions in the West Midlands

From Walsall, Sutton Coldfield to the smaller towns, we provide HMO conversion services across the West Midlands.

the West Midlands has 7 councils with HMO responsibilities, and their schemes are not the same. The table below shows what we found for each.

Covering the West Midlands and nearby West Midlands towns

Work by S&K and vetted subcontractors

Quotes itemised so you can compare

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In the West Midlands, as everywhere in England, a house with five or more people forming two or more households needs a mandatory HMO licence. Some councils go further with additional licensing or Article 4 directions, as the table shows.

Our work in the West Midlands ranges from single conversions for first-time landlords to multi-house programmes for investors, all priced in writing before work starts.

HMO rules across the West Midlands' councils

Council	Additional licensing	Selective licensing	Article 4 (small HMOs)
Birmingham City Council	In force Whole city, 5 June 2023 to 4 June 2028	In part of the area 25 of the city's 69 wards, 5 June 2023 to 4 June 2028	In force Whole city, in force since 8 June 2020
Coventry City Council	In force Whole city, 4 May 2025 to 3 May 2030	None found	In part of the area 11 wards, including Earlsdon, Foleshill, Lower and Upper Stoke, Radford, St Michael's and Westwood, since 30 September 2023
Dudley Council	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	In force Whole borough, since 15 September 2023
Sandwell Council	In force Whole borough, 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2029	None found	Proposed Cabinet approved an immediate borough-wide direction on 14 October 2026; not confirmed as in force when checked
Solihull Council	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	Proposed The council is exploring a direction for smaller HMOs; none in force when checked
Walsall Council	In part of the area Nine wards: Palfrey, Paddock, Pleck and St Matthew's (to 31 August 2027), and Bentley and Darlaston North, Birchills Leamore, Blakenall, Darlaston South and Willenhall South (to 30 June 2028)	None found	In force Whole borough, since 1 October 2025
City of Wolverhampton Council	Proposed The council is preparing a consultation on a scheme for smaller HMOs	Proposed The council is preparing a consultation on a scheme for designated areas	In force Whole city, since 14 September 2017

Checked October 2026. Mandatory licensing for five or more people applies in every council. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for the address before work starts.

Councils in the West Midlands where we found an Article 4 direction for small HMOs in force, in all or part of their area: Birmingham City Council, Coventry City Council, Dudley Council, Walsall Council, City of Wolverhampton Council. Article 4 directions are due to start or proposed in: Sandwell Council, Solihull Council. Additional licensing applies in all or part of: Birmingham City Council, Coventry City Council, Sandwell Council, Walsall Council.

HMO conversions for the West Midlands landlords

Our HMO conversion work in the West Midlands starts with a measured survey and a check of the planning and licensing rules that apply to the street. We design the room layout, shared facilities and escape route around those rules, then price the agreed specification in an itemised written quote.

Two houses in the West Midlands that look alike from outside can give different room counts once the kitchen, stairs and bathrooms are measured. We give you a realistic number early, then build across the West Midlands with our own team and vetted subcontractors under a single contract.

Fire protection and escape route specified to the risk
Certificates, floor plans and photos handed over for licensing
Measured survey of every room and shared space
Building control application and sign-off where required
Planning use class and Article 4 check for the address

Towns we cover in the West Midlands

HMO conversions in the West Midlands: common questions

How long does an HMO conversion in the West Midlands take?

It depends on the size of the house and the work involved. Your written quote includes a programme for each stage, and any planning or licensing time is shown separately.

Can you convert part of a building above a shop in the West Midlands?

Often, yes. Flats above shops need extra attention to fire separation from the commercial unit, and we assess this at survey stage.

Does a converted HMO in the West Midlands need a licence?

Yes if five or more people from two or more households will live there, because mandatory licensing applies in every council in England. the local council may also license smaller HMOs, which we check for the address.

Do I need planning permission to convert a house to an HMO in the West Midlands?

It depends on the number of occupants and whether the local council has an Article 4 direction covering the address. Seven or more occupants always needs planning permission. We check the position for your street before quoting.