HMO refurbishment in the West Midlands

We carry out HMO refurbishment work throughout the West Midlands, with each job checked against the local council's licensing and planning rules.

HMO rules in the West Midlands vary council by council, so we check the right one for your address before quoting.

One team for build, compliance and lettings

Covering the West Midlands and nearby West Midlands towns

Free survey and fixed written quote

Get a quote for the West Midlands

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

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

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 refurbishment in the West Midlands: what we do

We refurbish existing HMOs in the West Midlands that have fallen behind current standards, whether the prompt is a licence renewal, a council inspection or rooms that have become hard to let. The survey splits the work into safety, licence and optional items so the priorities are clear.

Where rooms in a the West Midlands house are still let, we phase the work so tenants keep a working kitchen, bathroom and alarm system throughout. For landlords across the West Midlands, each job ends with updated certificates and photos ready to send to the council.

Kitchens, bathrooms, electrics and decoration renewed as agreed
Phasing plan that keeps occupied rooms usable
Works list split into safety, licence and optional items
Before and after photos and updated certificates
Fire doors, alarms and escape routes brought up to standard

Towns we cover in the West Midlands

Questions about HMO refurbishment in the West Midlands

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.

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.

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.

Do you supply fire doors and alarms as part of a conversion?

Yes. Fire doors, the alarm system and emergency lighting are specified to the fire risk of the house and included in the price, not added later.