West Midlands
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
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This page includes the scheme records we currently hold, but council policies and boundaries can change. Treat it as a researched starting point and verify the latest position on the official council pages before acting.
Based on publicly available information, we show the licensing status we currently hold for Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, highlight mandatory HMO rules, and link you to official council sources for verification where we currently have them.
Confirm the current scheme boundary, licence fee, exemptions, application route, and any recent policy changes on the council website before making decisions.
Our current data is based on publicly available information. Always verify the latest licensing position, scheme boundaries, fees, and exemptions with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
We research council licensing information from public sources and present it as general guidance. We do not replace the council's own licensing pages or legal advice.
Council updates
We will email you if Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council introduces, renews, or changes a licensing scheme. Free, occasional updates only. Always verify final requirements on the council website.
Free, occasional licensing updates only. You can unsubscribe at any time.
This page may already answer a lot of the question. Use the paid products only if you want a quicker written summary, a more risk-focused view, or ongoing monitoring.
Property Licensing Check
Live now
A concise written review for one property, postcode, or council situation based on current public council-source information.
Best for: Best for landlords, agents, and buyers who want written clarity quickly on one case.
Delivery: Concise report by email, usually within 2 working days
Licensing Due Diligence Report
Coming soon
A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.
Best for: Best for buyers, investors, agents, landlords refinancing, and conveyancers handling material decisions.
Delivery: Analyst-reviewed report with stronger risk framing
Alerts and monitoring
Coming soon
A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.
Best for: Best for landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates without building their own tracking process.
Delivery: Monthly monitoring and change alerts
These options are designed to save research time, improve clarity, and support decision-making. Final reliance should still be tied back to the relevant council and, where necessary, professional advice.
Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.
Borough-wide additional licensing scheme requiring all Houses in Multiple Occupation with 3 or more occupants from 2 or more households to be licensed. Extends licensing to smaller HMOs not covered by mandatory licensing.
This scheme replaced the previous West Bromwich area additional licensing designation, which was revoked on 30 September 2024. Properties previously licensed under the West Bromwich scheme were automatically transferred to this new borough-wide scheme. Cabinet first approved commencement of consultation on 13 September 2023. The scheme was implemented because ongoing pressures from poorly managed HMOs across the borough - including anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping, poor property conditions, and harassment - necessitated expansion beyond the West Bromwich area. Property types covered: All HMOs with 3 or more occupants from 2 or more households not already subject to mandatory licensing. This includes properties with 3-4 occupants, bedsits, rooms in houses, and similar small HMOs sharing amenities.. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties with 5 or more occupants from 2+ households are covered by mandatory licensing (not this scheme). Empty properties do not require a licence. Temporary Exemption Notices (TENs) available for up to 3 months (maximum 6 months) where a property is being sold with signed contracts within 3 months, or where tenants have been given notice to quit within 3 months and the property will not be re-let as an HMO, or where the licence holder has died..
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Borough-wide mandatory HMO licensing for all properties with 5 or more people from 2 or more households sharing amenities, as required by national legislation
Required documents include: Fire Alarm and Electrical Installation Certificates, Fire Risk Assessment, Emergency Lighting Certificate, Gas and EPC certificates, floor plans, planning permission (if applicable), photo ID and proof of address, tenancy agreement, PAT Testing (if applicable), evidence for fee discounts. Property types covered: Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more households sharing basic amenities. Includes shared housing, bedsit accommodation, and studio accommodation meeting the HMO threshold.. Exemptions or exclusions: Supported exempt accommodation provided by not-for-profit organisations does not automatically qualify for exemption from HMO licensing. Properties managed by local authorities are exempt. Properties below the 5+ occupants / 2+ households threshold fall under additional licensing instead..
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
This scheme was revoked early (originally set to run until June 2027) and replaced by the borough-wide additional licensing scheme from 1 October 2024. Properties licensed under this scheme were automatically transferred to the new borough-wide scheme.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Sandwell Council consulted on both Additional Licensing and Selective Licensing for West Bromwich in 2019-2020. Following the consultation, only Additional Licensing was implemented (for West Bromwich wards from July 2022). Selective licensing was never introduced. The consultation was conducted by M·E·L Research on behalf of the council.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
These public research signals help show how recently this page was reviewed and what still needs checking before you rely on it.
Last reviewed
27 March 2026
Research confidence
High (75/100)
Sources checked
19
Data extracted primarily from official Sandwell Council web pages and supporting council committee documents. The additional licensing scheme details (start date, end date, fees, coverage, consultation timeline, approval date) are well-documented across multiple official pages. Mandatory HMO licensing status is confirmed. Fee information for 2025-26 is directly from the council's fees page. The public register download URL is confirmed. Selective licensing status (not in operation) is confirmed from multiple sources including official council pages and third-party sources. The historical West Bromwich additional licensing scheme dates and the failed selective licensing consultation are well evidenced through committee papers and consultation records.
The register is available as a direct download from the council website. Contact landlord_licensing@sandwell.gov.uk for any enquiries about the register.
Supporting sources
All councils in England must operate mandatory HMO licensing. This applies to properties with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households, regardless of location. If your property meets these criteria, you must apply for a mandatory HMO licence from Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
Borough-wide mandatory HMO licensing for all properties with 5 or more people from 2 or more households sharing amenities, as required by national legislation
Required documents include: Fire Alarm and Electrical Installation Certificates, Fire Risk Assessment, Emergency Lighting Certificate, Gas and EPC certificates, floor plans, planning permission (if applicable), photo ID and proof of address, tenancy agreement, PAT Testing (if applicable), evidence for fee discounts. Property types covered: Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more households sharing basic amenities. Includes shared housing, bedsit accommodation, and studio accommodation meeting the HMO threshold.. Exemptions or exclusions: Supported exempt accommodation provided by not-for-profit organisations does not automatically qualify for exemption from HMO licensing. Properties managed by local authorities are exempt. Properties below the 5+ occupants / 2+ households threshold fall under additional licensing instead..
In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:
Use these routes to move from the Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council summary into the most relevant next action for your property, role, or research task.
Landlord with a standard let→
Start with a postcode if you want a property-specific route before relying on the council summary alone.
Shared occupancy or possible HMO→
Use the HMO checker if occupier numbers, households, or room-sharing could change the answer.
Check if a property has an HMO licence→
Use this if you need to check whether a property holds an HMO licence, or find the council's public HMO register.
Investor, buyer, or conveyancer→
Use the due diligence guide if this council page is part of a purchase, refinance, or pre-letting review.
Letting agent or portfolio manager→
Preview the monitoring route if you need ongoing watchlists and recurring scheme-change visibility.
Understand additional licensing rules→
Read the guide if you want the broader background on how additional HMO licensing works alongside this council page.
Need the local HMO route→
Use the additional licensing page if the real question is whether a smaller shared house needs a local licence here.
Tenant checking landlord compliance→
Use the tenant guide if you rent a property and want to check whether your landlord holds the right licence.
Important disclaimer
This tool provides general information about landlord licensing schemes in England. Results are based on publicly available data and may not reflect recent changes. This is not legal advice. Always verify licensing requirements directly with your local council before making decisions.
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