Plans to introduce additional licensing requirements for smaller houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in Telford have been withdrawn following a legal challenge by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA).
Telford and Wrekin Council had proposed extending licensing requirements to shared properties occupied by three or four people. The scheme, which was put out for consultation in late 2025, would have required landlords of affected properties to pay a licensing fee of more than £1,500 per property, alongside additional administrative requirements.
The NRLA raised concerns about the way the council had consulted on the proposed scheme and, after failing to receive a response, instructed lawyers to challenge the process.
The association argued that the consultation was sufficiently flawed to be unlawful, highlighting a number of concerns. These included an alleged failure by the council to properly publicise the proposed designation, provide key consultation documents and adequately respond to questions about the legal basis for the scheme and its additional charges.
The council initially rejected the NRLA’s position before proposing to carry out the steps it had previously missed.
However, on 11th September 2026, the council revoked the additional licensing designation in its entirety, with the revocation taking effect four days later on 15 September.
The NRLA also argued that the proposed licensing scheme could have created additional duplication for landlords as the West Midlands prepares to become the first region required to join the new national landlord database from 15 December 2026.
According to the association, landlords could have been required to provide similar compliance information through separate systems, increasing administrative work without a clear additional benefit.
The challenge was led by the NRLA’s policy team, with Senior Policy Officer Samantha Watkin working alongside the association’s legal advisers.
The outcome means landlords of smaller HMOs in Telford and Wrekin will not face the proposed additional licensing requirements under the revoked designation.
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the NRLA, said: ‘This is a major win for landlords which sends a message to councils across the country: if you do not exercise your powers within the limits of the law, you will be challenged.
‘We raised serious concerns about both the process followed and the additional costs landlords would have faced. When those concerns were not addressed, we were prepared to challenge the designation through the courts. The council has now revoked it in full.
‘Good regulation should protect tenants while supporting responsible landlords. At a time when a new national landlord database is being introduced, councils should also think very carefully before imposing additional local schemes which duplicate information and costs without demonstrating clear benefits. When established processes aren’t followed, we are ready to take action to ensure landlords are treated fairly.’
Photo: Florian Siedl
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