Harborne sits within Birmingham City Council, which sets its own HMO standards for room sizes, kitchens and bathrooms. We check a house against those standards before we let rooms or rely on any figures.
Because we also build and repair HMOs, problems found at an inspection can be priced and fixed by the same team.
HMO rules in Birmingham City Council
| Rule | Birmingham City Council |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licence (5+ people) | In force everywhere in England |
| Additional HMO licensing | In force Whole city, 5 June 2023 to 4 June 2028 |
| Selective licensing | In part of the area 25 of the city's 69 wards, 5 June 2023 to 4 June 2028 |
| Article 4 direction for small HMOs | In force Whole city, in force since 8 June 2020 |
Checked October 2026 against Birmingham City Council's HMO licensing page. Schemes change, so we confirm the position for your address before any work starts.
Birmingham City Council has an Article 4 direction across its whole area, so turning a family house in Harborne into a small HMO needs planning permission. We check this before an offer is made, not after. Seven or more occupants always needs planning permission. Birmingham City Council also runs additional licensing across its whole area (until 4 June 2028), so smaller HMOs with three or four people from two or more households need a licence too.
Our HMO property sourcing service in Harborne
We source houses suited to HMO use in Harborne and across the West Midlands, checking each one for Article 4, licensing, room sizes, layout and condition before we put it forward. You receive the checks in writing, with comparable room lets found for that property.
Sourcing in Harborne is carried out under written terms, with identity and anti-money-laundering checks before we act. We never hold or pool investors' money and we don't give financial advice, so take regulated advice before you commit to a purchase.
- Room sizes measured against national minimums
- Comparable room lets checked per property
- Houses checked for Article 4 and planning use first
- Written terms and identity checks before we act
- Layout, condition and guide works cost reviewed
HMO property sourcing near Harborne
- Selly Oak 1.5 miles
- Bournbrook 1.5 miles
- Edgbaston 1.5 miles
- Smethwick 2.7 miles
- Northfield 2.9 miles
- Moseley 3 miles