Most of the cost and risk in an HMO is decided at the design stage. In Smethwick we start by measuring every room and checking Sandwell Council's position on licensing and planning, then build the specification around it.
Because we also manage and maintain HMOs, we design with day-to-day running in mind: hard-wearing finishes, sensible storage and layouts that keep shared spaces usable.
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 fire safety works for Smethwick landlords
We carry out HMO fire safety works in Smethwick to a written specification taken from the fire risk assessment and the local council's HMO standards. That keeps the work proportionate, because a small two-storey house and a large three-storey one in Smethwick rarely need the same measures.
Typical jobs in Smethwick include fire doors with self-closers, interlinked alarms, emergency lighting and fire stopping of hidden gaps. Every job across the West Midlands ends with commissioning certificates, photos of concealed work and a logbook for routine tests.
- Fire doors fitted with self-closers, seals and correct gaps
- Specification taken from the fire risk assessment and council standards
- Mains-wired interlinked smoke and heat detection
- Commissioning certificates, logbook and photos of concealed work
- Fire stopping around pipes, cables, hatches and cupboards
HMO fire safety works near Smethwick
- Handsworth 1.5 miles
- West Bromwich 1.8 miles
- Oldbury 1.8 miles
- Harborne 2.7 miles
- Rowley Regis 3.1 miles
- Edgbaston 3.2 miles