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.
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