Property licensing in the West Midlands
We track 3 councils in the West Midlands. Each one is checked against the council’s own website, most recently on 9 October 2026. Always confirm the exact street on the council’s map before you let a property.
At a glance
- Selective licensing (every privately rented home in the area needs a licence): Birmingham City Council.
- Additional HMO licensing (smaller shared houses, usually 3 or 4 people from 2 or more households): Birmingham City Council, Coventry City Council.
- Mandatory HMO licensing only: City of Wolverhampton Council.
Mandatory HMO licensing applies in every council area in England: a licence is needed for a house shared by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households.
| Council | Schemes | Last checked |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham City Council | Selective licensing, Additional HMO licensing | 9 October 2026 |
| City of Wolverhampton Council | Mandatory HMO only | 9 October 2026 |
| Coventry City Council | Additional HMO licensing | 9 October 2026 |
Council by council
Birmingham City Council
- Selective licensing: 25 of Birmingham's 69 wards: Acocks Green, Alum Rock, Aston, Balsall Heath West, Birchfield, Bordesley Green, Bordesley & Highgate, Bournbrook & Selly Park, Edgbaston, Gravelly Hill, Handsworth, Heartlands, Holyhead…. From 5 June 2023 to 4 June 2028. Fee: £700 per licence (£375 on application, £325 when the draft licence is granted).
- Additional HMO licensing: Whole city (all 69 wards). From 5 June 2023 to 4 June 2028. Fee: £755 per licence.
Full details for Birmingham City Council, including how to apply and penalties.
City of Wolverhampton Council
No selective or additional licensing scheme recorded. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies. No additional HMO licensing scheme; HMOs with 3 or 4 tenants do not need a licence in Wolverhampton.
Full details for City of Wolverhampton Council, including how to apply and penalties.
Coventry City Council
- Additional HMO licensing: Whole city (HMOs with 3 or 4 occupiers, and most mainly or wholly tenanted section 257 HMOs). From 4 May 2025 to 3 May 2030. Fee: Stage 1 £716 plus Stage 2 depending on licence length: £944 total for 5 years, £1,116 for 2 years, £1,571 for 1 year, £2,241 higher rate if unlicensed 12+ weeks; renewal £937.
Full details for Coventry City Council, including how to apply and penalties.
How to check whether your property needs a licence
- Find the council for the property’s address. Our licensing checker suggests the likely council from the postcode.
- Check which schemes cover the street. Schemes often cover only some wards, so use the council’s own map or postcode search.
- Apply before you let the property, or as soon as a new scheme starts. Councils can impose a civil penalty or prosecute for an unlicensed property, and tenants can apply for a rent repayment order.
New to this? Read HMO licensing explained, and keep your gas safety, EICR and EPC dates in order with our compliance record. This page is general information, not legal advice.