Birmingham is a strict HMO regime — planning permission likely required.
Indicative 5-person HMO licence fee: £1,175 · subject to change — verify against the council page.
Citywide Article 4 from 8 June 2020 — every C3 → C4 conversion needs planning. Bedroom minima exceed national (single 7.5, double 11.5). DM11 also requires 10 sq.m. outdoor amenity space per resident. Birmingham uses a 10% threshold approach for HMO concentration in neighbouring properties (see DM11 cumulative impact). See docs/councils/birmingham.md.
Permitted development rights from C3 (dwelling) to C4 (small HMO) are removed across the council area. Any change of use to a 3–6 person HMO will require a full planning application.
HMOs smaller than 5 occupants may still require a licence under the additional licensing scheme, covering the entire council area.
Any HMO occupied by 5 or more people forming 2 or more households requires a mandatory HMO licence from the council. Fines for unlicensed operation can exceed £30,000.
Birmingham sets a council-specific minimum room size above the national HMO Mgmt Regs 2018 floor. Plans must meet the higher local standard.
These ratios are the council's expected baseline. Larger HMOs may need additional bathrooms and kitchen facilities — plan for at least one bathroom per 4–5 tenants in 6-bed schemes.
Council policy mandates either a dedicated living room (≥11 m² for 3-5 persons, ≥14 m² for 6+), OR a combined living space ≥24 m² (3-5) / ≥34 m² (6+). Upload your floor plan to verify your layout meets this.
Disused office floor converted to 7-bed co-living scheme. Targeted at young professionals on tech corridor.
Enter your candidate postcode in Birmingham (or anywhere else in the UK) and we’ll surface the precise licensing and Article 4 status that applies to that address.