Birmingham Selective Licence Renewal: Key Dates and What to Expect

Birmingham's selective licensing scheme started on 5 June 2023 and expires on 4 June 2028. Every selective licence issued under this scheme has a maximum five-year term, so the earliest licences granted in mid-2023 run until mid-2028 at the latest.

If you applied later — say in 2025 or 2026 — your licence may still expire on 4 June 2028, depending on when it was granted and how the council set the expiry date.

When to Submit a Renewal

Birmingham City Council requires renewal applications to be submitted at least two months before the current licence expires. This matters because submitting a complete, "duly made" renewal before the old licence lapses maintains your statutory defence under the Housing Act 2004. Without that overlap, there is a gap where you are technically operating without a licence.

Starting early gives you a buffer to address delays or missing information.

What Renewal Involves

A renewal is treated as a new application. You go through the same portal, upload current safety certificates, pay the full fee (currently £700 for selective licences), and undergo a fresh fit-and-proper-person assessment.

There is no automatic renewal, no reduced fee for existing licence holders, and no credit for time remaining on the current licence.

Make sure all certificates are current before you start:

• Gas safety certificate less than 12 months old
• EICR less than five years old showing "Satisfactory"
• EPC less than 10 years old, Grade E minimum
• Updated metric floor plans if the layout has changed

What Happens After June 2028

The 2023–2028 scheme was designated under the previous statutory framework, which required central government approval for large-area selective licensing. That requirement was removed by the 2024 General Approval.

This means Birmingham City Council can introduce a new selective licensing scheme — potentially covering more wards or even the whole city — without seeking Secretary of State confirmation, provided it meets the Part 3 statutory conditions and conducts a public consultation lasting at least 10 weeks.

Whether the scheme is renewed, expanded, or dropped depends on the council's evidence review and political priorities.

What If You Do Nothing

If your licence expires and you continue letting the property without a valid licence or a duly-made renewal application, you are committing an offence. The penalties are the same as if you had never been licensed at all: civil penalties up to £40,000, criminal prosecution with an unlimited fine, and exposure to rent repayment orders covering up to 24 months of rent.

The Birmingham Landlord Licensing Guide includes a renewal timeline tracker covering the key dates for the 2023–2028 scheme, so you know exactly when to start the process and what to have ready.

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