Landlord licensing in South Staffordshire Council
West Midlands · England
Licensing at a glance
- HMO licensing
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties rented to five or more people from two or more households who share facilities like a kitchen or bathroom. Check the council's website for specific requirements and application processes.
- Additional licensing
- South Staffordshire Council may implement additional licensing for smaller Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) not covered by mandatory licensing. These designations are area-specific and typically last up to five years, so always check if your property's address is included.
- Selective licensing
- Selective licensing schemes, when designated by South Staffordshire Council, require all private rented properties in a specific area, including single-family lets, to be licensed. Landlords must check the council's website for any current designations affecting their property.
- Towns covered
- South Staffordshire
What this means for you
If you let a property in the South Staffordshire Council area, first confirm which licensing regime the exact address falls under. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to any property let to five or more people forming two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Additional licensing can extend licensing to smaller HMOs. Designations run for up to five years and are ward- or street-specific, so confirm the position for the exact address. Selective licensing can require a licence for every private rented home in a designated area, including single-family lets. Check current designations before you advertise. The Renters' Rights Act 2025, with main provisions commencing in 2026, replaces fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies and ends section 21 no-fault evictions. It also introduces a national landlord database and an ombudsman. Whatever the licensing position, maintain the same evidence pack for every South Staffordshire Council tenancy. This includes a current gas safety record where there is gas, an EICR no more than five years old, a valid EPC, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection and prescribed information, and the 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 South Staffordshire Council before letting. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.