HMO planning and Article 4 in Shropshire

Across Shropshire, our HMO planning permission service follows the same approach: measured survey, council rules checked for the address, fixed written quote.

Shropshire has 2 councils with HMO responsibilities, and their schemes are not the same. The table below shows what we found for each.

Covering Shropshire and nearby Shropshire towns

Designed around the local council's HMO standards

One team for build, compliance and lettings

Ask about a house in Shropshire

Tell us about the property. We reply within one working day.

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

We plan each HMO planning permission job in Shropshire around the local council's amenity standards, which set out kitchen, bathroom and room-size requirements for shared houses.

HMO rules across Shropshire's councils

Council	Additional licensing	Selective licensing	Article 4 (small HMOs)
Shropshire Council	Not confirmed	Not confirmed	Not confirmed
Telford & Wrekin Council	None found A planned borough-wide scheme was revoked in September 2026	Not confirmed	Due to start Borough-wide, due to start 27 February 2027

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.

We found no Article 4 directions for small HMOs in force among Shropshire's councils that we could confirm. Large HMOs always need planning permission. Article 4 directions are due to start or proposed in: Telford & Wrekin Council. We found no additional licensing schemes in force that we could confirm, so the mandatory licence for five or more people is the main one to plan for.

Our HMO planning permission service in Shropshire

Planning for an HMO in Shropshire starts with three questions: what the current lawful use is, whether an Article 4 direction covers the street, and what local policy says about the concentration of shared houses. We answer all three before you spend money on design.

For landlords and investors in Shropshire, we prepare planning applications and lawful development certificates, with the plans and evidence councils commonly ask for. We also explain where licensing and building regulations need a separate approval.

Submission and liaison with the planning officer
Existing and proposed floor plans and site plans
Check of lawful use, Article 4 and local HMO policies
Advice on Class L, C4 and sui generis routes
Lawful development certificate applications with dated evidence

Towns we cover in Shropshire

HMO planning and Article 4 in Shropshire: common questions

Who issues HMO licences in Shropshire?

the local council is the licensing authority for Shropshire. We prepare the application and supporting documents, and the council decides whether to grant the licence and on what conditions.

How often are electrical checks needed in an HMO?

Private tenancies in England need an electrical installation condition report before the tenancy starts and at least every five years, and gas appliances need a safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months.

Can you fix the issues a council inspection found?

Yes. We price the works on the inspection report, carry them out and provide the evidence the council asks for.

What happens if I let an unlicensed HMO in Shropshire?

Since 1 May 2026 councils can issue civil penalties of up to £40,000, and rent repayment orders can cover up to two years' rent. If a house in Shropshire needs a licence, apply as soon as possible.