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A supported housing licence in Birmingham: who holds it and what to prepare

Updated 25 Sept 2026 · Sources

Birmingham City Council says licensing of supported exempt accommodation is expected in 2027 or 2028 (Birmingham City Council (opens in a new tab)). When it starts, Housing Benefit will be linked to the licence, so a home without one loses its Housing Benefit.

One licence for the district

A licence covers one council district and every address the holder manages in it. It lists each address, the type of accommodation and the service manager. A provider or agent with homes in Birmingham and a neighbouring council needs a licence in each.

Who holds it

The holder is whoever is “managing or in control” of the accommodation. The government response (opens in a new tab) says “in many cases, the managing agent will be the appropriate person”. Where a head landlord and a managing agent could both hold it, they agree between them and can ask the council. Managing agents are already the core of Birmingham’s quality scheme: 17 of the 23 award holders (opens in a new tab) are managing agents.

If the holder is an organisation, its board nominates one director as the licence holder, and directors, partners and that director must all be fit and proper.

Stedwise never tells you who must hold a licence. It records who controls what, and gives you the questions to put to the council.

The conditions

  1. 1

    Standard of accommodation

    Existing standards apply: the Decent Homes Standard or HHSRS, depending on tenure. The application is refused if enforcement is already under way on a Category 1 hazard. Otherwise the council can agree an improvement plan.

    Who evidences it: Housing side

  2. 2

    Use of accommodation

    The accommodation must be safe, accessible for the residents and well maintained. The council checks this with the support commissioners.

    Who evidences it: Housing side

  3. 3

    Care, support and supervision

    Registered care needs CQC registration. Every other service must meet the National Supported Housing Standards unless exempt. Commissioned support is exempt; the holder reports any concerns about it.

    Who evidences it: Support provider

  4. 4

    Needs assessment

    Each resident is assessed at move-in or within four weeks, by a suitably skilled person, to the Standards.

    Who evidences it: Support provider or commissioner

  5. 5

    Service managers

    The holder confirms each service manager’s character, capacity, experience and skills. A criminal record is not automatically a bar.

    Who evidences it: Licence holder

  6. Fit-and-proper test

    Integrity, good character, and the skills and experience to run supported housing. It includes a criminal record certificate where required and is aligned with CQC and Ofsted. There is an enhanced test where residents are particularly vulnerable.

    Who evidences it: Each director

What to prepare now

  • A named service manager for every address, with evidence of their character, capacity, experience and skills.
  • A needs assessment for every resident, at move-in or within four weeks.
  • In-date gas safety records, electrical reports and fire risk assessments; an expired one is a blocker.
  • A board minute nominating the director who will hold the licence.
  • Evidence against the National Supported Housing Standards, unless your support is commissioned.
  • A clear record of who owns, leases, manages, supports and commissions each scheme.

Licence or award?

The licence is pass or fail per condition. S.E.A.Q.A.S. is Birmingham’s separate quality award, scored as a percentage, which leads to the preferred provider list. Much of the evidence overlaps, but one does not give you the other.

Key dates

  1. Feb–May 2025Consultation; 581 responses.
  2. 11 February 2026Commons debate on supported exempt accommodation in Birmingham (Hansard (opens in a new tab)).
  3. 16 April 2026Government response published: 36 criteria across six standards (government response (opens in a new tab)).
  4. 1 May 2026Renters’ Rights Act advertising rules in force: stated rent, property reference, penalties up to £7,000 then £40,000.
  5. 10 September 2026The minister confirms the draft licensing regulations consultation will come “later this year” (written answer 27109 (opens in a new tab)).
  6. Late 2026MHCLG consults on draft licensing regulations.
  7. Early 2027DWP updates its Housing Benefit guidance for supported housing claims to reflect the Act (written answer 15943 (opens in a new tab)).
  8. 31 March 2027First council supported housing strategies planned. The regulations setting the deadline are not yet made.
  9. 2027 or 2028Locally led licensing begins for all supported exempt accommodation in England, with Housing Benefit linked to the licence. The minister said “next year” on 25 June 2026 (written answer 8570 (opens in a new tab)); Birmingham says 2027 or 2028.

Sources

This guide is not legal advice

It summarises published government and council material as at the date above. The licensing regulations are not yet made; check the sources before you rely on a detail.