Property Licensing Check
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Council websiteLandlord licensing in Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
West Midlands
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
Licensing scorecard
Enhanced coverageOur current data shows active local licensing signals. Verify the latest boundaries, dates, fees, and exemptions with the council.
Selective licensing
Proposed scheme notedAdditional HMO licensing
Active additionalMandatory HMO licensing
Applies across England- Source confidence
- High
- Boundary confidence
- High
- Public register
- Download only (PDF or file) (3/5)
- Last reviewed
- 27 March 2026
- Next review due
- Not scheduled
- Sources recorded
- 19
Our current data is a research summary, not a legal record. This should be verified with the council before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action. Mandatory HMO licensing may still apply even where no local additional or selective scheme is recorded.
Recommended next step
Verify the position with the official council source
Our current data shows an active local scheme and a clear area match. The fastest reliable next step is to confirm the current fees, dates, boundaries, and exemptions on the official council source before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action.
What still adds uncertainty
- Proposed or consultation-stage schemes are noted and could change the position before or after they start.
- Mandatory HMO licensing can apply based on occupancy and households, which cannot be confirmed from a postcode alone.
Buying, refinancing, or completing conveyancing? A due diligence report pulls the licensing position together with the official routes so the risk is documented before you commit. This is an information service and is not legal advice.
Verify with the council
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.
Council updates
Get updates for Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
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.
If you need more than the council page
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.
Licensing Due Diligence Report
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A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.
Request the reportAlerts and monitoring
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A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.
See alerts and monitoringThese are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.
Check a postcode in Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.
Local licensing scheme records
Additional LicensingActive
Additional HMO Licensing - Borough-wide
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.
- HMO licence fee
- £1,021
- Fee guide
- Same fee structure as mandatory HMO licensing. 2025-26 fee: £1,021 total. Fees reviewed and increased annually on 1 April. Discounts of up to £220 available for accredited landlords
- Discount available
- Discounts of up to £220 available for accredited landlords
- Scheme period
- 1 October 2024 - 30 September 2029
- Typical licence term
- Scheme runs for 5 years to 30 September 2029. Individual licences may be shorter if property issues arise.
- Coverage
- Borough-wide
Research notes
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.
Additional LicensingProposed
Additional HMO Licensing - West Bromwich Area
- Scheme period
- 1 July 2022 - 30 September 2024
- Coverage
- Borough-wide
Research notes
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.
Selective LicensingProposed
West Bromwich Selective Licensing Consultation (Not Implemented)
- Coverage
- Borough-wide
Research notes
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.
Public licensing register
Councils must keep a public register of licensed properties. How easy it is to use varies a lot between councils.
- Public register found
- Yes
- Search method
- Download a file (PDF or spreadsheet)
- Register usability
- Download only (PDF or file) (3/5)
Register appears to cover
HMOAdditional (unconfirmed)
Appears to cover HMO licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.
Register notes
The register is available as a direct download from the council website. Contact landlord_licensing@sandwell.gov.uk for any enquiries about the register.
The council register and official source pages should be treated as the source of truth. Our summary is a guide to help you find and use them, not a substitute for the live register. How public registers work.
Research summary
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
Research notes
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.
Council contact details
Important to verify
- Council phone number for HMO/landlord licensing team
- Fee amounts for the historical West Bromwich additional licensing scheme (2022-2024)
- Exact streets/boundaries of the West Bromwich selective licensing area that was consulted on but not implemented
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
Supporting sources
- https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/find-home/additional-licensing
- https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/additionallicensing
- https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/find-home/additional-licensing/2
- https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/find-home/additional-licensing/3
- https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/find-home/housing-multiple-occupation-hmo/2
- https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/find-home/housing-multiple-occupation-hmo/3
Mandatory HMO licensing
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.
Not sure whether the rules apply? Use the HMO licence checker to check whether a property may need an HMO licence, then verify the current position with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
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
- HMO fee guide
- £1,021
- Fee notes
- 2025-26 fee: £1,021 total (£655 first payment + £366 second payment). Fees increase annually on 1 April. Previous year (2024-25) total was also listed as £1,001 in some sources, reflecting the annual uplift. Discounts of up to £220 available for accredited landlords (MLAS membership/housing qualifications: £168.30; NRLA or similar membership: £56.10; second and subsequent properties: £56.10)
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
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.
Other compliance requirements
In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:
- Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) - renewed annually
- EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) - every 5 years
- EPC rating of E or above - required before letting
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms - checked at start of tenancy
- Deposit protection - within 30 days of receiving deposit
- Right to Rent checks - before tenancy starts
Common questions about licensing in Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
- Do I need a landlord licence in Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council?
- Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council currently operates additional HMO licensing. Whether you need a licence depends on the property location, type, and occupancy. Use the postcode checker on this page or contact the council directly to confirm.
- How much does a property licence cost in Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council are approximately: Additional HMO Licensing - Borough-wide: £1,021; Mandatory HMO Licensing: £1,021. Fees can vary and may include discounts for early applications. Always check the latest fees on the council website before applying.
- Does mandatory HMO licensing apply in Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council?
- Operating a licensable property without the correct licence can lead to enforcement action. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, GOV.UK guidance refers to civil penalties of up to £40,000 for relevant offences, with different treatment for breaches and for offences committed before that date. Earlier cases may still be assessed under previous rules. Tenants or local authorities may be able to apply for a rent repayment order. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. From 1 May 2026, Section 21 notices can no longer be used for existing or new private tenancies in England. Transitional rules may still matter for notices served before that date.
Still unsure? Choose the next step that fits you
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.