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Selective licensing

A selective licensing scheme means that all private landlords in a designated area must have a licence to rent out a privately-rented property.

Selective licensing aims to improve the private rented market. It means property must be of a decent standard for a landlord to rent out.

Selective licensing also gives tenants confidence that houses and flats in a designated area will be healthy and safe to live in.

Selective licensing in Âé¶¹¸ßÇå

Following our successful application to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, we now have permission for a selective licensing scheme covering 25 of Âé¶¹¸ßÇå's 69 wards.

The scheme started on 5 June 2023. Each licence costs £700 and will last for up to five years.

You only need a licence if your property is in one of the 25 wards covered by the scheme.

Read a list of the 25 wards.

Exemptions to the scheme

You will not need a new selective licence if your property is:

  • licensed as an HMO
  • managed directly by an educational establishment
  • let by a registered social landlord such as a housing association

You can find a full list of exemptions on the .

Check if you need an additional HMO licence.

Enforcing the new scheme

As a landlord, if you fail to obtain the necessary licenses, it can lead to severe consequences:

  • you may face fines up to £30,000 through a Civil Penalty Notice (CPN) or prosecution, which could result in an unlimited fine
  • your tenants could claim up to 12 months' rent back through a Rent Repayment Order (RRO)
  • any section 21 eviction notices you serve would be considered invalid

Reporting an unlicensed property

If you suspect a property is operating without the proper licence, you can report this to us confidentially through our .

Apply for a selective licence

You can only apply for a selective licence through this website.

Apply for a selective licence.

If you have any problems with our online application form, email us: pl@birmingham.gov.uk


Page last updated: 28 November 2024