West Midlands
HMO licensing in Walsall
Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council requires a mandatory licence for HMOs occupied by 5 or more people from 2 or more households. It also runs additional licensing, which brings smaller HMOs (typically 3 or 4 people) into licensing. The published licence fee starts at £1,240.
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
Additional
Council-designated schemes
Licence fee
From £1,240
Decision time
About 6 weeks
The council's stated aim
Licensing schemes in Walsall
Additional HMO licensing (3+ occupants from 2+ households) is in force in Palfrey, Paddock, Pleck and St Matthews wards from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2027. A second additional scheme covering Bentley and Darlaston North, Birchills Leamore, Blakenall, Darlaston South and Willenhall South was approved by Cabinet on 7 September 2022 and started 1 July 2023 (a five-year term would end around 30 June 2028). No renewal consultation has been announced.
- In force from
- 1 September 2022
- Scheme ends
- 31 August 2027
Verified 24 September 2026
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £1,240. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
Mandatory-licence fee for a standard 5-6 occupant HMO, effective from 1 April 2023: £930 on application, £310 on approval. Accredited landlords pay a reduced £990 total (£740 + £250). Fees rise with occupancy above 6 (e.g. 9-14 occupants: £1,660 + £555 non-accredited, or £1,375 + £450 accredited). The separate additional-licensing fee (for 3-4 occupant HMOs not covered by the mandatory scheme) is £1,170 non-accredited or £990 accredited. Renewal applications made before expiry are charged at a reduced rate (e.g. £505 + £175 accredited for 5-6 occupants). A further £70 reduction applies per additional HMO for landlords with multiple licensed properties.
Fee source: go.walsall.gov.uk. Fees change during the year, so check the council before you apply.
Additional and selective licence fees
Fees for council-designated schemes are set separately from the mandatory HMO fee. Figures are the standard full-rate fee for a new licence, before any discounts.
Additional licence
£1,170
Renewal £820
Additional HMO licence for an HMO of 3 or 4 persons, standard fee for a non-accredited landlord, paid in two stages (Stage 1 £880 + Stage 2 £290); council's 2023/24 fee schedule (from 1 April 2023), the latest schedule it publishes for additional licensing
Accredited landlord rate (full member of MLAS, NRLA or another recognised national/regional scheme): £990 (Stage 1 £700 + Stage 2 £290). Renewal on time for 3 or 4 persons: £820 non-accredited (£570 + £250) or £655 accredited (£455 + £200). Lapsed accreditation attracts a £100 charge. The schedule says fees are expected to rise each financial year.
Scheme: From 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2027
Checked 2 October 2026 against go.walsall.gov.uk
Documents you will need
- Gas safety certificate (CP12) — Within the last 12 months for every gas appliance on the property.
- EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report, dated within the last five years.
- EPC — Valid Energy Performance Certificate for the property.
- Floor plan with room dimensions — To scale, showing every room and its floor area against the HMO minimums.
- Fire risk assessment — Current assessment of the property's means of escape, alarms and compartmentation.
Sources
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.