- Proposal aims to make sure all privately rented HMOs meet appropriate standards, regardless of size.
- Over half of known HMOs in the borough currently fall outside mandatory licensing requirements.
- Residents, tenants, and landlords are encouraged to share their views by 20 August.
Tamworth Borough Council is reminding residents, tenants, landlords and letting agents that there is now just one month remaining to take part in the public consultation on a proposal to introduce additional licensing for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
The consultation, which closes on 20 August 2026, seeks views on extending licensing to HMOs occupied by three or four people, helping make sure all privately rented shared homes meet appropriate safety and quality standards.
A HMO is defined as a property occupied by three or more people forming two or more households who share facilities such as a kitchen, bathroom, or WC. While larger HMOs with five or more occupants must already be licensed by law, smaller HMOs currently fall outside this requirement.
In recent months, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of new four-bedroom HMOs being let in the borough. At present, there are 131 known HMOs locally, with a further 29 under review. However, due to the lack of a requirement to register smaller HMOs, the true number is likely to be higher.
Evidence shows that unlicensed HMOs can present serious issues, particularly around fire safety and safe means of escape, often due to a lack of awareness of legal responsibilities. These properties are typically only inspected if a complaint is made.
The proposed additional licensing scheme aims to address this gap by making sure all HMOs meet required safety and quality standards, enabling proactive inspections and stronger enforcement where necessary.
HMOs can provide an important source of affordable and flexible housing for a wide range of people in the borough. Students, young professionals, individuals on lower incomes, single or divorced people, and those seeking social interaction are just some of the groups who may choose this type of accommodation. The council recognises the valuable role HMOs play in meeting local housing needs, and the proposed licensing scheme is intended to support well-managed properties while helping make sure tenants have access to safe, good-quality housing.
Councillor Ben Clarke, portfolio holder for housing, homelessness and planning, said: “There’s still time for people to have their say on these important proposals. Whether you're a tenant, landlord or local resident, your feedback will help shape how we regulate and support smaller HMOs in the future.
"HMOs play an important role in providing affordable and flexible accommodation for many people across the borough, and we want to ensure they are safe, well managed and provide good-quality homes for tenants. The proposed additional licensing scheme is about supporting responsible landlords, protecting residents and giving the council the tools it needs to identify and address issues before they become more serious.
“We want to hear a wide range of views to make sure any future licensing scheme reflects the needs of our communities while helping improve housing standards across the borough.
“I would strongly encourage everyone to take part and help shape the future of housing in our area.”
Take part in the online survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ZVLMEJ/
The survey will be open until 20 August, and all feedback received will help inform the future approach in Tamworth.