Large HMO conversions in the West Midlands

From Walsall, Sutton Coldfield to the smaller towns, we provide large HMO conversion services across the West Midlands.

the West Midlands has 7 councils with HMO responsibilities, and their schemes are not the same. The table below shows what we found for each.

Quotes itemised so you can compare

Covering the West Midlands and nearby West Midlands towns

Work by S&K and vetted subcontractors

Free survey in the West Midlands

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

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.

Licensing and planning for HMOs in the West Midlands is handled by the district, borough, city or unitary councils, not one county-wide body. That's why the same house can need different paperwork depending on which side of a council boundary it sits.

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.

Large HMO conversions for the West Midlands landlords

For larger houses and buildings in the West Midlands, 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 the West Midlands 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
Planning drawings and room schedule for the application

Towns we cover in the West Midlands

Questions about large HMO conversion in the West Midlands

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.

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 work on a house I haven't bought yet in the West Midlands?

Yes. We can survey before you buy and tell you the likely room count, the planning and licensing position and a guide cost, so you can decide with the facts in front of you.

What size must bedrooms be in an HMO in the West Midlands?

For licensed HMOs in England a room for one adult must be at least 6.51 square metres and a room for two adults at least 10.22 square metres. the local council may set additional standards, which we design to.