A shared house in Brownhills has to work for the council, the people who live there and the owner's figures. We look at all three before we agree terms.
Because we also build and repair HMOs, problems found at an inspection can be priced and fixed by the same team.
HMO rules in Walsall Council
| Rule | Walsall Council |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licence (5+ people) | In force everywhere in England |
| Additional HMO licensing | 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) |
| Selective licensing | None found |
| Article 4 direction for small HMOs | In force Whole borough, since 1 October 2025 |
Checked October 2026 against Walsall Council's HMO licensing page. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for your address before any work starts.
Walsall Council has an Article 4 direction across its whole area, so turning a family house in Brownhills into a small HMO needs planning permission. Before we take a house on, we check it has the planning status it needs. Seven or more occupants always needs planning permission. Walsall Council's additional licensing covers nine wards, including Palfrey, Paddock, Pleck, St Matthew's, Blakenall, Birchills Leamore, Darlaston South and Willenhall South, which doesn't include Brownhills, so the mandatory licence for five or more people is the main one to plan for there.
HMO guaranteed rent in Brownhills: what we do
We offer guaranteed rent leases on suitable shared houses in Brownhills and elsewhere in the West Midlands. Before making an offer we survey the house, measure the rooms and check the local council's licensing and planning position for the address, because those decide how many people can lawfully live there.
Owners in Brownhills who lease to any operator should check the licence, certificates and tenancy paperwork, because licensing offences and rent repayment orders can reach superior landlords since 1 May 2026. Have the lease reviewed by your own solicitor before you sign.
- Lease of the whole house for a fixed monthly rent
- Repair responsibilities set out clearly in the lease
- Inspections with written reports to the owner
- Draft lease supplied for your own solicitor to review
- Licence and certificate records shared with you