Most of the cost and risk in an HMO is decided at the design stage. In Hanley we start by measuring every room and checking Stoke-on-Trent City 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 Stoke-on-Trent City Council
| Rule | Stoke-on-Trent City Council |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licence (5+ people) | In force everywhere in England |
| Additional HMO licensing | Proposed A citywide scheme was proposed in August 2026, subject to consultation |
| Selective licensing | Not confirmed |
| Article 4 direction for small HMOs | In force Whole city, immediate direction from 23 October 2026. It lapses unless the council confirms it within six months |
Checked October 2026 against Stoke-on-Trent City Council's HMO licensing page. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for your address before any work starts.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has an Article 4 direction across its whole area, so turning a family house in Hanley into a small HMO needs planning permission. This is an immediate direction that took effect on 23 October 2026 and lapses unless the council confirms it within six months. We check the planning history of the address as part of any licence work. Seven or more occupants always needs planning permission. Stoke-on-Trent City Council proposed a citywide additional licensing scheme in August 2026, subject to consultation, so smaller HMOs may need a licence in future.
Our HMO safety certificate service in Hanley
Landlords in Hanley need the same core certificates as anywhere in England: an annual gas safety record, an EICR at least every 5 years and working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Licence conditions often add fire alarm and emergency lighting servicing to the list.
We arrange checks for HMOs in Hanley and across Staffordshire, book them before they fall due and keep every date in a compliance diary. Where a report needs remedial work, we quote for it straight away so deadlines are met.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm checks and replacements
- Fire alarm and emergency lighting servicing certificates
- Annual gas safety checks by Gas Safe registered engineers
- EICRs by qualified electricians, at least every 5 years
- Remedial electrical work quoted to meet the 28-day deadline
Sharer demand in Hanley
If the house in Hanley is let to students or sharers, up-to-date certificates, measured plans and a current fire risk assessment make any council inspection more straightforward, and they are usually asked for with a licence application.
Gas, electrical and alarm certificates near Hanley
- Stoke-on-Trent 1.5 miles
- Burslem 1.7 miles
- Fenton 1.7 miles
- Tunstall 2.4 miles
- Newcastle-under-Lyme 2.8 miles
- Longton 3.3 miles