Landlord licensing in Cannock Chase Council
West Midlands · England
Licensing at a glance
- HMO licensing
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties let to five or more people who form two or more separate households and share a kitchen, bathroom, or toilet.
- Additional licensing
- Additional licensing may apply to smaller HMOs in specific areas of the district. Designations run for up to five years and are ward or street specific, so you must check for the exact property address.
- Selective licensing
- Selective licensing may require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check the current designations before you advertise your property.
- Typical fees
- Mandatory HMO licence fees for 2026-2027 are subject to review. For 2024-2025, they were £750 for a new application and £600 for a renewal, with discounts available for accredited landlords. Fees for any additional or selective licensing schemes would be determined at the time of designation.
- Towns covered
- Cannock Chase
What this means for you
If you let a property in the Cannock Chase Council area, first confirm which licensing regime applies to the exact address. Mandatory HMO licensing covers properties let to five or more people forming two or more households who share facilities. Additional licensing can extend this to smaller HMOs. These designations last up to five years and can be ward or street specific. Selective licensing may require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Always check current designations before advertising. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (main provisions commencing 2026) replaces assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies and ends section 21 no-fault evictions. It also introduces a national landlord database and ombudsman. Maintain an evidence pack for each tenancy: a current gas safety record, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection and prescribed information, and all required prescribed documents served before the tenancy starts.
Official links
Licensing designations, fees and boundaries change regularly. This page is a general summary, not legal advice — always confirm the position for the exact address with Cannock Chase Council before letting. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.