Landlords in Burslem deal with Stoke-on-Trent City Council for licensing, planning and housing standards. We keep those three in view together, so a layout that suits the licence also works for planning and building control.
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 Burslem 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 prepare the planning application before any conversion work starts. 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.
Large HMO conversions for Burslem landlords
For larger houses and buildings in Burslem, we assess whether an HMO for seven or more people is realistic before any design money is spent. That means checking local planning policy, the structure, the escape routes and how many kitchens and bathrooms the occupancy would need.
If the scheme works, we prepare the planning drawings, agree the fire strategy with building control and build floor by floor. It suits bigger properties in Burslem and across Staffordshire where a six-bedroom layout would leave usable space empty.
- Kitchens and bathrooms sized to council amenity standards
- Fire strategy agreed with building control at the start
- Handover file prepared for the mandatory licence
- Feasibility check of the building, layout and planning policy
- Floor-by-floor build programme with building control inspections
Large HMO conversions near Burslem
- Tunstall under a mile
- Hanley 1.7 miles
- Newcastle-under-Lyme 2.7 miles
- Stoke-on-Trent 2.8 miles
- Fenton 3.3 miles
- Kidsgrove 3.4 miles