West Midlands · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Stoke-on-Trent
✓ Hand-verified 30 May 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, Stoke-on-Trent does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. Here's the current position.
Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.
Stoke-on-Trent sets this fee under section 63(3) of the Housing Act 2004. Its current charge is not yet recorded here.
The council’s own licensing page carries the charge that applies today — confirm it there before you budget.
Not established is not the same as free.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council operates mandatory HMO licensing only under the Housing Act 2004 (5+ persons forming 2+ households sharing facilities). The council has NOT designated any area for selective licensing. A selective licensing scheme was previously considered and consulted upon with arc4 reviewing the consultation analysis in 2018, but no current designation is in force as of April 2026. Independent verification (Legislate, April 2026; Essential Property Options, March 2026) confirms no selective licensing scheme in operation.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council does not currently operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. Smaller HMOs with 3-4 occupants are not subject to discretionary licensing. There is also no Article 4 Direction currently in force in Stoke-on-Trent, meaning conversion of standard residential dwellings (C3) to small HMOs (C4) for up to 6 occupants falls under permitted development rights and does not require planning permission. Only mandatory HMO licensing applies for HMOs with 5+ occupants, plus planning permission required for HMOs with 7+ occupants (sui generis). Licence fees and amenity standards are set by the council under its own HMO Amenity Standards.
Common questions
Does Stoke-on-Trent have a selective licensing scheme?
No. Stoke-on-Trent does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Does Stoke-on-Trent have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Stoke-on-Trent does not currently operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Do I need an HMO licence in Stoke-on-Trent?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Stoke-on-Trent, where a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households who share basic amenities. Smaller shared houses may also need a licence where an additional licensing scheme applies.
- Free landlord compliance check — five questions, no account
- Tenancy agreement checker — findings cited to the Act and section
All property licensing in West Midlands →
Source: Stoke-on-Trent licensing page →
Every landlord in Stoke-on-Trent also needs
A valid Gas Safety certificate (annual), an EICR (every 5 years), a valid EPC, a protected deposit, smoke & CO alarms, the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet, and a current How to Rent guide — plus the new Section 8 possession rules since Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026.
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