Letting Agents Can Be Fined for Unlicensed Tamworth HMOs
Property Licensing Guide for Tamworth
Tamworth does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. Last checked: 20 October 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.
Tamworth is in the West Midlands registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 December 2026: see how the West Midlands registration window affects letting agents.
Tamworth Property Licensing Schemes
To check whether a Tamworth HMO is licensed, search the council’s public register. It lists each licensed address, the maximum number of occupants and the expiry date. You can also run an address through Kamma’s free checker below.
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 Tamworth property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Tamworth property →What are the licensing requirements for Tamworth?
Mandatory licensing in Tamworth
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Tamworth (and all of England) to larger HMOs. These are 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 Tamworth?
Additional licensing requires smaller HMOs in a designated area to be licensed. That means a privately rented property with three or more people forming more than one household.
Tamworth does not currently operate an additional HMO licensing scheme.
Tamworth ran a consultation on additional licensing, which closed on 20 August 2026. No designation has followed, so no additional licence requirement applies at this stage.
Do I need a selective licence in Tamworth?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Tamworth does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme.
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 Tamworth Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Licence fees
| Licence | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO licence | £698 (5-person band) |
Fees as published by the council, verified 20 July 2026; subject to change. See the council’s fee page for full schedules, payment stages and discounts.
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Tamworth Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Tamworth operate?
Tamworth does not currently operate selective or additional licensing. The national mandatory HMO scheme applies to larger HMOs. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Tamworth need a licence?
No. Tamworth has no selective licensing scheme, so most privately rented homes need no licence. HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household need a mandatory licence. Smaller HMOs need none while no additional scheme is in force.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
Operating a property that requires a licence without one can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. The landlord also risks a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. A letting agent who manages the property or collects the rent commits the offence too and can be fined separately.Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for HMO licences on behalf of landlords in Tamworth. Many agents manage the full application for mandatory HMO licences.
How do I apply for a Tamworth property licence?
To apply for a Tamworth HMO licence, request a form from the council’s private sector housing team on 01827 709388 or HMO@tamworth.gov.uk. Pay through the council’s online portal (see the council’s HMO applications page). A managed service such as Kamma can handle the application.
Is selective licensing planned in Tamworth?
Tamworth has no selective licensing scheme. As of 20 October 2026 Kamma found no council proposal for one on tamworth.gov.uk.
Why did Tamworth consult on additional licensing?
Tamworth Borough Council consulted from 20 May to 20 August 2026 on additional licensing for HMOs with three or four occupants. The council said over half of known HMOs in Tamworth fall outside mandatory licensing. No scheme has been designated, so no additional licence is required in Tamworth.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Tamworth?
Tamworth’s HMO standards set requirements for fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management (council HMO applications page). A licence is valid for a maximum of five years.
About Tamworth
Tamworth Borough Council licenses HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household, across the whole borough. From 20 May to 20 August 2026 it consulted on a borough-wide additional licensing scheme for HMOs with three or four occupants. The council said over half of known HMOs in the borough fall outside mandatory licensing. As of 20 October 2026 the council has published no decision, so no additional licence is required.
Licensing Enforcement in Tamworth
Tamworth Council enforces mandatory HMO licensing. Letting a property without the required licence risks prosecution and civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. The landlord can also face a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. Where a letting agent manages the property or collects the rent, the agent commits the offence too and can be fined in its own right.
