Licensing in Solihull

• Mandatory HMO licence

  In force

  Mandatory HMO licensing (national scheme, Solihull fees)

  Area

  The whole borough (national scheme).

  Fee

  £1,075 for 5 years

  £1,075 non-refundable fee, paid after the council issues a case reference number. NRLA members get a £108 discount (proof of membership required). Extra charges: £43 for each additional let or person over 7; £215 for a new licence because the licence holder changes; £145 where an inadequate application means the council has to review information. The page is undated. The council's older HMO FAQ still quotes £795, which is out of date.

  Who needs one

  Buildings occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households, regardless of the number of storeys.

  Exemptions

  Statutory exemptions under Schedule 14, Housing Act 2004.

  Notes

  No selective or additional licensing scheme was found; the council's HMO page describes only the national mandatory scheme. Applicants first register for a case reference number, pay, then submit a postal or electronic application form. Managers and licence holders must have a DBS check. The licence term ('normally up to five years', shorter if there are concerns) is taken from the council's older HMO FAQ document. The council uses LACORS fire safety guidance, the Homestamp guide, its Amenities and Facilities Guide and an HMO Fit and Proper Person Policy. A public HMO register is published (file path dated 2026-10).

  Apply on the council site

  Sources

  • solihull.gov.uk: homes multiple occupation
  • solihull.gov.uk: Housing FAQs HMOs (PDF)

We found no Article 4 direction on house shares in Solihull.

Council source

No consultation was recorded when we researched Solihull.

These points were unresolved when we researched Solihull on 14 October 2026. Check them with the council before you rely on them.

• Not yet confirmed

  No civil penalty policy was found online (the 2023 enforcement policy link returns 404). Confirm whether Solihull has adopted a policy under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and the statutory guidance, with the £40,000 maximum.

• Not yet confirmed

  Article 4: none is in force, but the council says it is exploring a direction for smaller HMOs. Watch for a proposal, its area and its start date.

• Not yet confirmed

  The HMO fee page is undated; confirm £1,075 is the 2026/27 fee.

• Not yet confirmed

  The licence length comes from an older FAQ that also quotes an out-of-date fee; confirm the standard term.

• Not yet confirmed

  The council's supported exempt accommodation housing enforcement page (https://www.solihull.gov.uk/housing/supported-exempt-accommodation/housing-enforcement) says 'A licensing scheme will soon be in place for providers of all supported accommodation, regardless of occupancy or property size.' This appears to be the national Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 regime, not a Housing Act 2004 selective or additional scheme, and no start date is given. The same page says 'The Council has discretionary powers to require other HMOs to be licensed', but no such scheme was found.

• Not yet confirmed

  Not independently re-checked (verification of 2026-10-14): whether Cabinet has adopted a Renters' Rights Act civil penalty policy (solihull.moderngov.co.uk returned 522, and the 2023 enforcement policy link returns 404); whether the undated £1,075 fee and its extras are the 2026/27 figures; and scheme absence beyond the council's site search (no web search was possible).

Licensing is separate from the national landlord register. Solihull is in West Midlands, where the planned registration window runs from 15 December 2026 to 14 March 2027. The regulations are still in draft. Register dates, fee and documents