If you rent out a property for house in multiple occupation (HMO), you may require a licence from us. This is to ensure the property is safe and meets basic occupancy standards.

About HMOs
Apply for a licence and read our guidance

You need a licence if your property is:

• Occupied by five or more people
• Shared facilities such as a bathroom or kitchen

It is an offence if you fail to submit a full application for an HMO licence or request a Temporary Exemption Notice.  You could face enforcement action and fines of up to £20,000.

If you are not sure if you need a licence contact us or read the government guidance. We also have a set of standards developed specially for Tamworth.  We can prosecute HMO landlords who operate without a licence. We can also refuse you a licence.

How much is a licence?

On 23 February 2023 cabinet approved the revised HMO mandatory Licence fees and charges. This took effect from 1 April 2023 for applications where a new licence would be issued in the financial year 2023/24 or where a late application was received on 1 April 2023 or later for a licence that expired at any time before.

The fees have been calculated to accurately reflect the true cost of administering and processing licences. The fees are split into a non-refundable application fee and a licence fee. This split is required further to case law set by R (Hemming and Others) vs Westminster City Council. The fees are also calculated based on the size of the property.

Licence Fees for on-line applications 2023 to 2024

	5 persons	6- 10 persons	11+ persons
Stage 1 (Application fee)	£246.30	£280.51	£314.72
Stage 2 (Licence fee)	£366.03	£386.55	£407.08
Total Stage 1 + Stage 2	£612.33	£667.06	£721.80

Fees for optional HMO services 2023 to 2024

Description	Fee
Advice Visit	£82

N/B If following an advice visit an HMO licence application is made a £50 reduction will be given at Stage 1, application fee.

• If you require a licence and you are taking steps towards this, you can apply for a Temporary Exemption Notice (TEN).

We will grant a licence if:

• The property requires a licence in accordance with the Housing Act 2004
• We are satisfied that - subject to the proposed licence conditions - the property is suitable for occupation
• The proposed licence holder is a fit and proper person
• The proposed licence holder is the most appropriate person to hold the licence
• The person managing the property will be the proposed licence holder
• Subject to the conditions of the licence the management arrangements are satisfactory

Contact us:
Private Sector Housing Team, Tamworth Borough Council, Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth, B79 7BZ.
Email: Private-sectorhousing@tamworth.gov.uk Tel: 01827 709388.