Additional licensing for HMOs
The rules around the licensing of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are changing on 5 June 2023.
From that date, a smaller HMO – a property with three or four occupants - will need a licence before you can rent it out.
Do I need a new additional licence for HMOs?
A licensable HMO is currently a property rented by five or more people who are not from one 'household' (for example a family) but share facilities such as a bathroom or kitchen.
You need a mandatory licence to rent out this type of HMO.
From June 5 2023, the definition of a licensable HMO will change and smaller HMOs will also need one of the new licences.
A licensable (smaller) HMO means a property:
- occupied by three or four people
- made up of two or more households, and
- where people share facilities such as a kitchen or bathroom
Landlords will have to apply for an additional licence for any HMO that fits the new definition.
Enforcing the scheme
We will start to enforce the new additional licence scheme from 4 September 2023. This should give landlords sufficient time to apply for the new licence.
Applying for an additional licence
Landlords can now apply for a new additional HMO licence. Each licence costs £755.
If you rent out more than one HMO, you will need a licence for each property.
Apply for an additional HMO licence.
Further information
No tacit consent is applicable to this type of application. If you have not heard from us within 28 days of submitting your application, email us.
If you have any problems with our application form, email pl@birmingham.gov.uk.
Read more about our additional licensing scheme.
Additional licensing conditions
There are conditions you will be expected to meet when we give you an additional licence.
The conditions cover things such as:
- health and safety
- occupancy levels
- refuse and recycling
Read our additional HMO licensing conditions.
Section 257 HMOs
You may need to apply for a section 257 additional license if you operate a property that has been converted into self-contained flats and meets the following criteria:
- the conversion of the property did not comply with the Building Regulations 1991
- two thirds or more of the flats in the property are rented out
The section 257 license is only for the building as a whole. Individual flats in the building may also require separate licenses, depending on their circumstances.
If you believe that your property may be subject to section 257 licensing, email the property licensing team at pl@birmingham.gov.uk.
Page last updated: 11 September 2023
