This help sheet is designed to inform you of the Selective Licensing Scheme (SLS) in Birmingham city centre. It should not be relied upon for areas outside the city centre, or for other cities. It’s correct as at 12th May 2023 but the official Council webpage can be found here.
What is it? A Selective Licensing Scheme means that all private landlords in a designated area must have a licence to rent out a privately rented property. There are severe penalties for non-compliance (more details below). Birmingham City Council (BCC) has been awarded the right to apply this scheme by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC).
Why? Selective licensing aims to improve the quality and compliance of the private rented market. It aims to ensure that all properties are of a decent standard for a landlord to rent out, and a tenant to reside in. It is intended to reveal and penalise rogue landlords and bad conditions.
Which areas of Birmingham city centre are included? (see map at Appendix A)
Bordesley & Highgate (Digbeth area)
Edgbaston
Ladywood (covers Broad Street, Brindleyplace, city core)
Soho & Jewellery Quarter
This covers pretty much the entire city centre, though there are some anomalies, for example, the Gun Quarter (Newtown Ward) is excluded. Please check with us if you are unsure, or you can also use the Council’s postcode checker, which you can access here.
When does it start and end? Landlords will be able to apply for a licence from 2 May 2023. The scheme is due to start on June 5th 2023, with the Council looking to enforce these regulations starting September 4th 2023 – this gives landlords (Leaseholders) three months to ensure they are complying with the new licensing scheme, before they are at risk of prosecution by BCC.
NOTE: lack of enforcement by BCC does not mean you are compliant after 5th June 2023. You could still be at risk after this date
The designation shall cease to have effect on 4 June 2028 or earlier if the Council revokes the scheme under section 84 of the Act.
How much does it cost? The total fee to BCC is £700 (£405 for the licence fee and £295 for the Council’s application fee). FleetMilne will also levy a fee of £300 where they administer the process of the application; this is not chargeable if you complete the process yourself.
Anyone who is required to have a licence (but does not) could face a £30,000 fine.
If you own more than one property, you will need to apply for a licence for each individual apartment.
What information/paperwork will I need to provide?
name and contact details of everyone with an interest in the property – this includes the landlord (Leaseholder), Freeholder, block agent, letting agent and mortgage company [1]
date of birth of the person who will be the licence holder.
a floor plan of the apartment with measurements of all the rooms[2] and their position in the building (e.g. located ground floor left, located top floor front right)
current valid electricity installation inspection and test certificate (EICR)
current valid gas safety certificate (where applicable)
a debit or credit card to pay the licence fee.
Who needs a copy of the Licence?
FleetMilne require a copy for records, and to provide to tenant/s
The mortgagee of the property (where applicable)
All owners[3] of the property to which this application relates.
The proposed licence holder – if that is not you.
The block managing agent (where applicable)
Any person who has agreed that they will be bound by any condition(s) in a licence, if it is granted.
Need help sorting out your licence?
At FleetMilne we have a team dedicated to supporting Landlords with renting out their property.
FleetMilne is an award-winning estate and letting agent based on Colmore Row, right in the heart of Birmingham city centre. Known for delivering excellent service for landlords, vendors, tenants, and purchasers, we pride ourselves on providing elite property services with integrity and personability every step of the way – no gaps or cutting corners.
