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.
Licensing and planning for HMOs in the West Midlands is handled by the district, borough, city or unitary councils, not one county-wide body. That's why the same house can need different paperwork depending on which side of a council boundary it sits.
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 fire risk assessments in the West Midlands: what we do
Shared houses in the West Midlands need a fire risk assessment that reflects how the building is actually laid out. We assess the common parts and the escape route from every bedroom, then give you a written report with a prioritised action plan you can act on.
Councils and fire services covering the West Midlands commonly expect to see a current assessment, particularly at licence time. We review assessments for houses in the West Midlands after building work or changes in occupancy, and can price any works the action plan identifies.
- Prioritised action plan with a reason for each item
- Site visit covering common parts and every escape route
- Reviews after building work, layout or occupancy changes
- Check of fire doors, alarms and emergency lighting
- Advice on the responsible person's ongoing duties
Towns we cover in the West Midlands
- Birmingham
- Selly Oak
- Bournbrook
- Edgbaston
- Harborne
- Moseley
- Kings Heath
- Stirchley
- Bournville
- Kings Norton
- Northfield
- Longbridge
- Erdington
- Handsworth
- Aston
- Perry Barr
- Great Barr
- Kingstanding
- Hall Green
- Acocks Green
- Yardley
- Sheldon
- Saltley
- Sutton Coldfield
- Coventry
- Earlsdon
- Tile Hill
- Foleshill
- Allesley
- Binley
- Wolverhampton
- Bilston
- Wednesfield
- Tettenhall
- Penn
- Dudley
- Stourbridge
- Brierley Hill
- Halesowen
- Kingswinford
- Sedgley
- West Bromwich
- Smethwick
- Oldbury
- Tipton
- Wednesbury
- Rowley Regis
- Walsall
- Bloxwich
- Willenhall
- Darlaston
- Aldridge
- Brownhills
- Solihull
- Shirley
- Chelmsley Wood
- Knowle
- Castle Bromwich