Additional HMO licensing in Telford and Wrekin
Yes. Telford and Wrekin operates an additional HMO licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Common questions
Do I need an additional HMO licence in Telford and Wrekin?
Yes. Telford and Wrekin operates an additional HMO licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Which areas of Telford and Wrekin does the scheme cover?
32 wards including Admaston and Bratton, Apley Castle, Arleston and College, Brookside, Church Aston and Lilleshall, Dawley and Aqueduct, Donnington, Edgmond, Ercall, Ercall Magna, Hadley and Leegomery, Haygate and Park, Horsehay and Lightmoor, Ironbridge Gorge, Ketley, Lawley, Madeley and Sutton Hill, Malinslee and Dawley Bank, Muxton, Newport East, Newport North, Newport South, Newport West, Oakengates and Ketley Bank, Overdale and The Rock, Priorslee, Shawbirch and Dothill, St Georges, The Nedge, Woodside, Wrockwardine, Wrockwardine Wood and Trench. Ward list is from a third-party map and should be checked against the council designation notice.. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does Telford and Wrekin's scheme end?
The designation runs until 24 August 2031, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£1,522.42 per cent early bird. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Telford and Wrekin before budgeting.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued.
| Stage 1 | £1,123.14 |
| Stage 2 | £399.27 |
| Total | £1,522.42 |
- Pre-application, pre-licence and missed-appointment visits £150 each, with two pre-licence visits included in the licence fee
- Variation fees £100 to £150
- Discount is proposed for full valid applications in the three-month lead-in
Telford and Wrekin — Telford and Wrekin HMO Licensing Fee Schedule, December 2025, read, read 19 Aug 2026
What the designation says
IN FORCE from 25 August 2026, for five years to 24 August 2031, across 32 wards. Extends licensing to HMOs occupied by three or four tenants that fall outside mandatory licensing. Approved by Cabinet in May 2026 following a December 2025 consultation, as part of the council's Better Homes for All programme; the council's own newsroom (27 May 2026) announced the scheme and directs landlords to telford.gov.uk/public-protection/licensing/houses-in-multiple-occupancy-hmos/. A 10 per cent early-bird discount applied to complete applications submitted before 25 August 2026 and has now closed. Landlords who submitted a complete and valid application before the start date may continue operating while it is processed. Commencement date confirmed 31 Aug 2026; the fee has NOT been established first-party and is not published.
What this means for a landlord
A licence must be in place before the property is let, not applied for afterwards. Operating unlicensed in a designated area is a criminal offence: a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent. Both maxima apply to conduct on or after 1 May 2026; before that date they were £30,000 and twelve months. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026 and possession now runs through the amended section 8 grounds. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Information tool, not legal advice. Confirm the position with Telford and Wrekin before letting.