What licensing schemes does Birmingham operate?

Birmingham operates selective and additional licensing (5 June 2023 to 4 June 2028), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.

Do all properties in Birmingham need a licence?

It depends on the scheme and your property. Where selective licensing applies, most privately rented homes need a licence; HMOs fall under mandatory or additional licensing depending on size and occupancy.

What if my property doesn't have a licence?

Operating an unlicensed property that requires a licence can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property, rent repayment orders of up to 24 months, and being unable to serve a Section 21 notice. Letting agents can be held jointly liable.

Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?

Yes. Letting agents can apply for property licences on behalf of landlords in Birmingham, and many manage the full process.

How do I apply for a Birmingham property licence?

You can apply through Birmingham Council's website ( licensing pages ), or use a managed service such as Kamma.

How long does an application take?

Processing times vary with the council's workload and the quality of the application. A complete, correctly prepared application is processed fastest.

Why did Birmingham introduce selective licensing?

Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.

Why did Birmingham introduce additional licensing?

Additional HMO licensing addresses overcrowding, disrepair and management standards in smaller HMOs not covered by the national mandatory scheme.

What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Birmingham?

The council's HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management ( licence conditions ).

SELECTIVE AND ADDITIONAL LICENSING — LIVE

Birmingham Property Licensing: Do You Need a Licence?

Birmingham operates selective and additional licensing alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. Most privately rented homes need a licence, and enforcement is rising.

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Birmingham Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement

Councils are using data to identify unlicensed properties, and agents are jointly liable alongside landlords

Up to £40k fine per unlicensed property

Rent Repayment Orders up to 24 months

£7,800 average fine for letting agents

Most enforcement activity happens within the first 3–6 months of scheme launch.

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Property Licensing Guide for Birmingham

Birmingham currently operates selective licensing in 25 wards and additional licensing in 69 wards; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. Last checked: 3 July 2026.

This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in this area and how to apply for a licence.

New to this? Read our overview: What is selective licensing?

Birmingham Property Licensing Schemes

Got questions about licensing schemes in Birmingham? We’re here to help. This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in Birmingham and how to apply for a licence.

Is manual compliance causing a headache for your agency? At Kamma, we specialise in automating licensing compliance for agents across the UK. If you need any assistance in getting your property portfolio compliant, find out how we can help letting agents here.

Not sure whether a Birmingham property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker tells you in seconds — across selective, additional and HMO schemes.

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What are the licensing requirements for Birmingham?

Mandatory licensing in Birmingham

Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Birmingham (and all of England) to larger HMOs — properties occupied by five or more people forming more than one household, including:

Shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals.
Properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities.
Properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation.

Do I need an additional property licence in Birmingham?

Additional licensing requires smaller HMOs in a designated area to be licensed — a privately rented property with three or more people forming more than one household.

Birmingham operates additional HMO licensing — the current designation is set out below.

Do I need a selective licence in Birmingham?

Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.

Birmingham operates selective licensing — the current designation is set out below.

Additional licensing: 5 June 2023 to 4 June 2028 — covering Acocks Green, Allens Cross, Alum Rock, Aston, Balsall Heath West, Bartley Green, Billesley, Birchfield, Bordesley & Highgate, Bordesley Green, Bournbrook & Selly Park, Bournville & Cotteridge, Brandwood & King’s Heath, Bromford & Hodge Hill, Castle Vale, Druids Heath & Monyhull, Edgbaston, Erdington, Frankley Great Park, Garretts Green, Glebe Farm & Tile Cross, Gravelly Hill, Hall Green North, Hall Green South, Handsworth, Handsworth Wood, Harborne, Heartlands, Highter’s Heath, Holyhead, King’s Norton North, King’s Norton South, Kingstanding, Ladywood, Longbridge & West Heath, Lozells, Moseley, Nechells, Newtown, North Edgbaston, Northfield, Oscott, Perry Barr, Perry Common, Pype Hayes, Quinton, Rubery & Rednal, Shard End, Sheldon, Small Heath, Soho & Jewellery Quarter, South Yardley, Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East, Sparkhill, Stirchley, Stockland Green, Sutton Four Oaks, Sutton Mere Green, Sutton Reddicap, Sutton Roughley, Sutton Trinity, Sutton Vesey, Sutton Walmley & Minworth, Sutton Wylde Green, Tyseley & Hay Mills, Ward End, Weoley & Selly Oak, Yardley East and Yardley West & Stechford.
Selective licensing: 5 June 2023 to 4 June 2028 — covering Acocks Green, Alum Rock, Aston, Balsall Heath West, Birchfield, Bordesley & Highgate, Bordesley Green, Bournbrook & Selly Park, Edgbaston, Gravelly Hill, Handsworth, Heartlands, Holyhead, Ladywood, Lozells, North Edgbaston, Small Heath, Soho & Jewellery Quarter, South Yardley, Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East, Sparkhill, Stockland Green, Tyseley & Hay Mills, Ward End and Yardley West & Stechford.
Mandatory HMO licensing: in force since 2006 for HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household.

How do I apply for a licence?

You can apply for a licence via Birmingham Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.

How much does a license cost?

Birmingham City Council sets the following licence fees:

Additional HMO: £755 per licence.
Selective: £700 per property, paid in two parts — £375 on application and £325 when the draft licence is granted. There are no multi-property discounts.
Mandatory HMO: set out in the council’s HMO fee schedule — see Birmingham City Council’s HMO licensing pages for the current figure.

Fees are set by the council and can change — check Birmingham City Council’s licensing pages for the latest figures.

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Birmingham Property Licensing FAQs

What licensing schemes does Birmingham operate?
Birmingham operates selective and additional licensing (5 June 2023 to 4 June 2028), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Birmingham need a licence?
It depends on the scheme and your property. Where selective licensing applies, most privately rented homes need a licence; HMOs fall under mandatory or additional licensing depending on size and occupancy.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Operating an unlicensed property that requires a licence can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property, rent repayment orders of up to 24 months, and being unable to serve a Section 21 notice. Letting agents can be held jointly liable.
Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for property licences on behalf of landlords in Birmingham, and many manage the full process.
How do I apply for a Birmingham property licence?
You can apply through Birmingham Council’s website (licensing pages), or use a managed service such as Kamma.
How long does an application take?
Processing times vary with the council’s workload and the quality of the application. A complete, correctly prepared application is processed fastest.
Why did Birmingham introduce selective licensing?
Selective licensing is used to improve housing conditions and tackle anti-social behaviour in the private rented sector.
Why did Birmingham introduce additional licensing?
Additional HMO licensing addresses overcrowding, disrepair and management standards in smaller HMOs not covered by the national mandatory scheme.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Birmingham?
The council’s HMO licence conditions set standards for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (licence conditions).

About Birmingham

Birmingham is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom and a major metropolitan borough in the West Midlands. Strategically located near the center of England, it serves as a key crossing point for the country’s railway and motorway systems. As the largest city within the West Midlands conurbation, Birmingham is a vital industrial, commercial, administrative, recreational, and cultural hub. Historically, different parts of the city fall within the historic counties of Warwickshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire. Covering an area of 103 square miles (268 square km), Birmingham had a population of over 1 million in 2011, with its urban area home to nearly 2.5 million people.

Licensing Enforcement in Birmingham

Birmingham Council enforces property licensing across its schemes. Letting a property without the required licence risks prosecution, civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property, and rent repayment orders of up to 24 months — with letting agents jointly liable alongside landlords.