Bolton Council is launching a new licensing scheme for landlords of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
The scheme is designed to improve property conditions, strengthen management standards, and ensure tenants have access to safe, high-quality accommodation and was agreed at a meeting of Bolton Council’s Cabinet on Monday (August 17).
HMOs are properties that are occupied by three or more people from different households, who share at least one basic amenity i.e. a kitchen, bathroom or toilet - the definition includes bedsits, shared houses and some self–contained flats that did not meet the required standard at the time of conversion.
It is unacceptable that landlords cut corners in critical areas such as failing to obtain fire, gas, and electrical safety certificates or ensuring properties are safe.
Many landlords operate responsibly, but a substantial proportion of HMOs are poorly managed, unsafe and impact on the community.
In the past three years, the council has received 1,885 complaints about disrepair in rented homes, typically relating to fire safety, electrical and structural defects, overcrowding, cold and damp, and poor waste management and pest control.
Since April 2025 Housing Standards have issued 8 civil penalties (fines) to landlords for HMO related offences and served 11 prohibition orders linked to HMO safety and serious housing conditions, which prevents the property or part of it being used.
As larger HMOs, occupied by five or more people are already subject to licensing, this new scheme will mean that nearly all HMOs in Bolton will require a licence to operate legally.
It is expected that the new licensing will be fully operational in early 2027.
The fee for a five-year licence will be £1,211 per property, and the income from the licence fees will fund the costs associated with administering, running and enforcing the scheme.
During the consultation there was strong support for the scheme, but there was also an emphasis on strict enforcement to make it work.
Based on this, a new team is being created to focus on HMO licensing and enforcement.
Where properties need significant changes to meet these requirements, including structural changes, a period of up to three years will be given for newly licensed properties, thus avoiding any immediate impact on tenancies and give landlords time to plan and implement work.
Some landlords may choose to pass on part or all of the additional costs to tenants via rent, but the long-term benefits are positive by improving the quality of housing stock, making local neighbourhoods safer, generating more local investment, and improve the health and wellbeing of residents.
Good landlords will also benefit from rogue landlords being pursued and driven out of the market ensuring that everyone is operating to the same standards.
Any HMO landlord failing to join or adhere to licensing requirements may be subject to court proceedings or issued with a civil penalty (fine) of up to £40,000.
Cllr Sean Fielding, Executive Member for Adults and Community Housing Services at Bolton Council, said:
“Most landlords act responsibly providing good, safe and secure homes for residents, yet there are some who flout the law, cut costs to maximise profits, and put people’s lives at risk.
“Minimum property and maintenance standards are there to save lives, and it is unacceptable that landlords cut corners in critical areas such as failing to obtain fire, gas, and electrical safety certificates or ensuring properties are safe.
“Overcrowded HMOs can also damage once thriving communities, as tenants move on quickly and anti-social behaviour can flare up in the neighbourhoods.
“The new licensing will help tackle these issues, and when the council receives direct complaints, it will now have stronger powers to take action.”
The proposed license fees, terms and conditions, minimum standards can be found online, alongside details of the consultation findings.
All decisions made at Cabinet Meetings can be called in by elected members for further review via the council’s scrutiny committees.