Birmingham Selective Licensing Documents: What You Need Before Applying

The single most common reason Birmingham selective licence applications stall is missing documents. The council's Property Licensing Portal expects everything uploaded in one go, and if a certificate is expired or a floor plan is missing room dimensions, the application does not achieve "duly made" status. That leaves you without a statutory defence while you scramble to fix it.

Here is exactly what you need and what the council looks for.

Gas Safety Certificate

Must be current — less than 12 months old at the time of submission. It needs to have been carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the engineer's Gas Safe registration number must appear on the certificate.

For a property with no gas appliances, the gas certificate requirement does not apply. Follow the portal's instructions for recording that.

Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

The EICR must show a "Satisfactory" outcome and be less than five years old. If it flags any C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) defects, have the remedial work completed within 28 days and keep proof. Submit a satisfactory EICR with the supporting evidence required by the portal.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Valid for 10 years from the date of issue. The property must have a minimum rating of Grade E. If it falls below E, you either need to carry out the recommended improvements or register a valid exemption on the national PRS Exemptions Register.

An expired or sub-E EPC without an exemption blocks the application.

Metric Floor Plans

This is where most landlords trip up. The council does not accept a rough sketch on the back of an envelope. The floor plan must show:

• Room dimensions in metres and floor areas in square metres (m²) — every room that tenants use
• Room usage labels — bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, living room, storage
• Fire safety features — positions of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire doors, and escape routes
• Location of space heating appliances — including fixed fuel-burning appliances

For HMO applications, sleeping rooms must meet minimum sizes (6.51 m² for a single occupant aged 10 or over, 10.22 m² for two people). These HMO thresholds do not set the standard for a selective licence; follow the property's licence conditions and other applicable housing requirements, and provide accurate floor-plan measurements.

If you cannot produce a plan yourself, a local surveyor or floor plan service can create one for about £100–£200.

Additional Documents for HMOs

If your property needs an additional or mandatory HMO licence instead of a selective licence, you may also need:

• Fire risk assessment — particularly for Section 257 converted blocks or properties with communal areas
• PAT testing records — for any electrical appliances you supply to tenants
• Furniture fire safety declaration — confirming any supplied upholstered furniture meets the 1988 Fire Safety Regulations

Assemble Before You Apply

The practical advice is simple: gather every document before you open the portal. Check expiry dates, confirm the EICR shows "Satisfactory," and make sure the floor plans include metric dimensions and fire safety features.

The Birmingham Landlord Licensing Guide includes a document assembly checklist with the exact specification for each item, so you can tick everything off before starting the online application.

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