Sandwell is part of West Midlands
Landlord register deadline in Sandwell
Register by 14 March 2027
Registration opens on 15 December 2026, in 46 days.
Subject to Parliament: the register's regulations were laid before Parliament on 9 September 2026 and still need approval. The dates and the £65 fee come from the government's announcements and could change. The draft regulations.
West Midlands is the first of 9 English regions to register. See every region's dates.
How many rented homes in Sandwell need registering?
Sandwell had 24,237 privately rented homes at the 2021 Census, 19% of households, below England's 20%. That's the 10th highest of 30 councils in West Midlands. Each of those homes needs registering by 14 March 2027.
The average private rent in Sandwell was £953 a month in September 2026, below the West Midlands average of £983. It's the 15th most expensive of 30 councils in West Midlands. Rents rose 7.3% over the year, against 4.4% across the region.
| 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms | 4 or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed £680 | 2 bed £851 | 3 bed £1,015 | 4+ bed £1,405 |
At that rent, the £65 yearly register fee works out at about 2 days' rent per property.
Of homes in Sandwell with an EPC, 48% are rated C or above, below England's 53% and the 12th least efficient of 30 councils in West Midlands. About 5 in 10 are D or below and would need work if the proposed EPC C rule for 2030 becomes law. EPC rules for landlords.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 (tenure), ONS Price Index of Private Rents, ONS EPC data for EPCs lodged in the 10 years to March 2025, all tenures.
Renting in Sandwell? Check a rent increase against local rents, or see your rights as a renter.
Does Sandwell have landlord licensing?
Yes. Sandwell runs one licensing scheme. A licence is needed on top of registering, and you'll give its details when you register.
Additional HMO licensing: Whole borough
All wards in Sandwell
What fines can Sandwell give landlords?
Sandwell can fine landlords who aren't registered once the deadline passes on 14 March 2027: up to £7,000, or £40,000 for false information or repeat breaches. How fines and enforcement work.
Sandwell's civil penalty policy (draft)
Updated for the Renters' Rights Act, so it already sets out how Sandwell will fine landlords under the new rules.
For not registering: The draft policy starts at £10,000 for failing to register on the national database, up to £25,000; for landlords with a portfolio, £20,000 for a first offence.
Get an email before your deadline
One email when registration opens for your area, then 30 and 7 days before the deadline. Nothing else.
Questions landlords ask
When do landlords in Sandwell have to register?
By 14 March 2027. Properties in Sandwell follow the West Midlands timetable, which opens on 15 December 2026. The deadline follows the property, so it applies wherever you live.
Does Sandwell have additional HMO licensing?
Yes. Sandwell licenses smaller HMOs (Whole borough) until 30 September 2029. It doesn't run selective licensing for single-household lets, as far as we've found.
Has Sandwell updated its fines policy for the Renters' Rights Act?
Sandwell's policy is still in draft: Private Rented Sector and Housing Standards Enforcement Policy (effective from 15 July 2026 (draft)).
What is the average rent in Sandwell?
£953 a month in September 2026, according to the ONS. A two-bedroom home averaged £851. The £65 yearly register fee is about 2 days' average rent.
Councils like Sandwell
Sandwell's nearest matches in West Midlands on rent and the share of homes rented privately. All share the 14 March 2027 deadline.
- Wolverhampton £948 a month
- Walsall £930 a month
- Nuneaton and Bedworth £918 a month
- Worcester £984 a month
- North Warwickshire £983 a month
- Malvern Hills £955 a month