Walsall council approved the designation of an additional licensing scheme for smaller HMO properties in October 2021 and the scheme went live on 1st September 2022.

The scheme covers HMO properties in the 4 borough wards of Pleck, Palfrey, Paddocks and St Matthews and the council says landlords with properties in those areas should have applied for their licences by August 31st this year.

Landlords are also warned that from 1st September 2022 it became a criminal offence to operate these types of property without having applied for a licence and if any such landlords don't apply for a licence as soon as possible "so they don't get hit with legal action or hefty fines by the council."

Walsall says that it will "vigorously enforce against non-compliance meaning landlords and [property] managers could receive an unlimited fine upon prosecution, so receiving a criminal record .... or they could be issued with a civil penalty fine of up to £30,000 per offence or may be banned from running rental properties in the future.".

Cllr. Gaz Ali said "We would urge any landlords of HMOs in these four wards who have still to apply for a licence, to do so as quickly as possible .... the council has a duty to combat poor practices and will use enforcement powers where necessary ... ".