The scheme itself hasn't changed: still £700 per licence, still the same 25 wards, still running to 4 June 2028. What has changed is enforcement intensity and the penalties for non-compliance of selective licensing Birmingham, both of which have escalated sharply since the original 2023 article was written.

If you're letting a property in Birmingham, there's a good chance selective licensing applies to you. The scheme, which the UK government gave Birmingham City Council (BCC) permission to operate, has been running since 5 June 2023 and continues until 4 June 2028. It covers 25 wards across the city, and landlords in those areas need a licence before they can let a property.

Nothing about the scheme itself has changed since it launched. The cost, the wards, and the end date are all the same as they've always been. What has changed is how closely the council is checking, and what happens if you're not licensed when they do.

What Is The Birmingham Selective Licensing Scheme?

It's a requirement for landlords in certain parts of the city to hold a licence before letting a privately rented property. Birmingham isn't unusual here; plenty of other UK towns and cities run similar schemes. The idea is straightforward: it helps keep rented homes to a decent standard, and gives tenants some reassurance that the property they're moving into is safe.

How Much Does a Licence Cost?

£700 per property, and the licence lasts up to five years. If you own more than one property, each one needs its own licence; there's no discount for owning several.

Which Wards Are Included In Selective Licensing Birmingham?

25 wards in total, including areas like Aston, Handsworth, Lozells, Sparkbrook, and Selly Park. The easiest way to check a specific address is Birmingham City Council's postcode checker.

What Do I Need To Apply For A Licence?

The council asks landlords or their agents to provide:

  • Name and contact details of anyone associated with the property (owner, mortgage company, freeholder)
  • Date of birth of the prospective licence holder
  • A property floorplan with specific room measurements and its placement within the wider building, if applicable
    • As of 24th May 2023, Birmingham City Council confirmed a floorplan isn't strictly essential for selective licence Birmingham applications, but specific room measurements and other property details are still required.
  • Most recent electrical installation inspection and test certificate
  • Most recent gas safety certificate, if applicable
  • Card details to pay the licence fee

If you're using a floorplan, it's worth knowing that most basic floorplans from your original property purchase don't hold the level of detail councils are asking for. Miller Rose's Property Licensing compliant Inspection Report makes sure everything's covered properly, so nothing comes back to hold your application up.

When Do You Need To Apply?

The scheme has been live since June 2023, so there's no application window to wait for, if your property's in one of the 25 designated wards, you can (and should) apply now. The council no longer treats this as a new rollout: enforcement is active and ongoing, with over 12,000 inspections carried out and £450,000 in fines issued to landlords letting without a licence.

One date that is worth having on your radar: licences run for up to five years, so any licence granted in the first wave back in 2023 will need renewing well before the scheme itself ends on 4 June 2028. If you're not sure when yours is due, our team can check for you.

If you'd rather not manage the application yourself, get in touch and the Miller Rose team can handle the whole process for you, so your property stays protected without it landing on your to-do list.

Are There Any Exemptions?

If your property's already licensed as an HMO, or it's managed by a registered housing association, you won't need a separate selective licence. One thing to check, though: smaller HMOs with three or four tenants from unrelated households sharing a kitchen or bathroom now fall under Additional HMO Licensing rather than selective licensing, and the council is enforcing both at the same time.

What Happens If I Don’t Purchase A Landlord Licence?

The council has been busy. Over 12,000 inspections have been carried out so far, and £450,000 in fines have been issued to landlords who didn't have a licence. The penalties themselves have gone up too:

  • Civil penalties of up to £40,000 per offence (up from £30,000 as of 1 May 2026)
  • Rent Repayment Orders letting tenants claim back up to 24 months' rent (up from 12 months, under the Renters' Rights Act)
  • In more serious cases, unlimited fines or a banning order

It's not worth the risk for the sake of a £700 application and a bit of admin.

Let Miller Rose Handle It

Selective licensing Birmingham can feel like one more thing on an already long list, especially if it's your first time dealing with it. At Miller Rose, we handle licensing for the landlords we manage day in, day out, so whether you'd like us to sort the application for you or just want a steer on doing it yourself, we're happy to help. No pressure, no jargon, just clear answers.

Get in touch with the team, and we'll make sure your property's covered

Want to apply for a landlord licence yourself? Here are your links to the council’s website: Selective Licence application Additional licence application

For enquiries, contact the team today

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FAQs

How much does a Birmingham selective licence cost?

£700 per property, valid for up to five years.

Which wards need a selective licence Birmingham?

25 designated wards, including Aston, Handsworth, Lozells, Sparkbrook and Selly Park. Use the council's postcode checker to confirm a specific address.

What happens if I let a property without a licence in Birmingham?

A civil penalty of up to £40,000, a Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months' rent, and potential unlimited fines or a banning order for serious cases.

Do I need a selective licence if my property is an HMO?

No. Properties already licensed as an HMO are exempt from selective licensing, though smaller HMOs may need an Additional HMO Licence instead.

When does Birmingham's selective licensing Birmingham scheme end?

The current scheme runs until 4 June 2028.

How do I apply for a selective licence in Birmingham?

Directly through the council's licensing portal, or through Miller Rose, who can manage the full application on a landlord's behalf.