Free HMO Planning, Licensing & Compliance Checklist
If you're the owner of a HMO in Birmingham or are in the process of becoming one, then you'll want to make sure your HMO is fully compliant for both planning and licensing purposes. Failure to comply with HMO licensing conditions can result in fines of up to £30,000 and even prison sentences in the most serious cases.
Free HMO Planning, Licensing & Compliance Checklist
If you're the owner of an HMO in Peterborough or are in the process of becoming one, then you'll want to make sure your HMO is fully compliant for both planning and licensing purposes. Failure to comply with HMO licensing conditions can result in fines of up to £30,000 and even prison sentences in the most serious cases.
Stay compliant with Birmingham's HMO specialist
With over 155 pieces of legislation impacting HMO properties, knowing exactly how to stay compliant can be confusing. That's one the reasons that, as Birmingham's HMO specialist, we're sharing the checklist used by our compliance team when assessing the suitability of a new HMO for our rental portfolio. It's not an exhaustive list and you should seek advice directly from the relevent borough council, but it does address many of the most important issues.
What's included?
21 point checklist covering examples of key HMO licensing, planning & compliance checks
7 most important fire safety checks from the LACORS framework.
Links to interactive postcode checkers for Additional & Discretionary Licensing Areas & Article 4 locations
Overview of space standards applying to both room sizes and communal areas with a link to
amenity standards documents for each council
Explanation of the certificates you need to let an HMO and how often they need to be renewed
Download of the Minimum Standards and HHSRS Checklist used by each borough council to assess rental property in the city.
About Sentinel Lettings
We manage high-quality HMOs across Birmingham and the surrounding areas, backed by over 20 years of hands-on experience. We are HMO compliance spaecialists, working closely with local authorities and regularly attending council inspections to stay ahead of regulatory expectations. Recognised by COHO as one of Birmingham’s biggest and most professional HMO management agencies. Our hands-on approach gives us real insight into what regulators require, allowing us to guide landlords proactively while delivering safe, well-run shared homes.
We combine transparency, operational efficiency and genuine care for both landlords and tenants. Clear, fair fees with no hidden mark-ups or contractor commissions — ensuring value stays where it belongs. As landlord-operators ourselves, we understand both sides: protecting your investment while creating well-managed homes where tenants want to stay.
