When do I need a licence?
If your property is a HMO you may need a licence to rent it out. A separate licence is required for each property. You must also re-apply if your licence has expired.
Failure to obtain a licence could result in a fine of up to £40,000 or prosecution.
Mandatory HMO Licence
A landlord must have a licence for a privately rented HMO if the property being rented out:
- is occupied by five or more people;
- those people form two or more households;
- tenants share some amenities like kitchens, toilets or bathrooms
Additional HMO Licence information
Bolton Council has recently consulted on the introduced of an additional licensing scheme and this was formally approved by the Council on 17 August 2026. The boroughwide scheme will come into force on 1 April 2027 and will cover:
- Smaller HMOs with 3 or 4 people
- Section 257 flats
From this date all HMOs that meet these criteria will require a licence. Further information on the application process will be published here over the coming months.
Selective Licensing
Selective licensing is normally introduced by councils to make sure properties in a designated area are managed properly and have a positive impact on the neighbourhood.
There are no selective licensing schemes in any part of Bolton