Bolton Council consults on HMO licensing scheme

Bolton Council has opened a public consultation on plans to introduce an Additional Licensing Scheme covering Houses in Multiple Occupation across the borough.

The move follows the Article 4 Direction introduced last June, which tightened planning controls on converting existing homes into shared accommodation.

Under that change, any HMO conversion now requires full planning permission regardless of size.

The council says the proposed licensing framework is intended to raise safety, living conditions and management practices in the private rented sector.

The proposed fee is £1,211 per property for a five-year licence.

Control HMO growth

The council’s executive member for community housing, Coun Sean Fielding, said: “This is another example of where the council is seeking to use its limited powers to try and control the growth in the number of HMOs in Bolton.

“The first step was the introduction of the Article 4 direction, requiring smaller HMOs to apply for planning permission where previously they did not require it.

“If agreed following the consultation, I would hope that requiring HMOs to be licensed will drive unscrupulous HMO landlords out of town and improve the quality of those which do remain.”

He added: “However, the growth we’ve seen in HMOs locally is a sign of wider housing market failure which won’t be resolved until we build the homes we need, including many genuinely affordable homes that Bolton people can afford.”

Smaller properties licensed

Shared rented homes in Bolton house a wide range of residents, including younger adults, people on lower incomes and those unable to secure other housing options.

While many landlords operate responsibly, the authority says evidence points to a rise in smaller properties that fall short on standards.

Issues linked to poorly run HMOs include fire risks, overcrowding, substandard conditions, refuse problems and anti-social behaviour.

National rules currently require mandatory licensing only for larger HMOs with five or more occupants.

Bolton’s proposal would extend local oversight to properties housing three or four people, alongside some converted buildings where safety measures may be lacking.

Enforce HMO standards

If adopted, the scheme would operate boroughwide and introduce mandatory conditions around management, property condition and safety.

This would give the council greater visibility over shared housing, enable inspections and allow enforcement where standards are not met.

Feedback is being sought from residents, tenants, landlords, managing agents, businesses and organisations on whether the scheme should proceed.

The consultation runs until Sunday 19 April, with the survey available on the council’s website.