Council admits huge new licensing fee may trigger rent rises
Summary
Bolton Council is introducing a new licensing scheme that will bring nearly all HMOs in the borough into licensing control, with full operation expected in early 2027. The council says the scheme is intended to improve property conditions and management standards, while landlords face a five-year licence fee of £1,211 per property and potential civil penalties of up to £40,000 for non-compliance.
Why it matters
The scheme signals tighter local enforcement around HMO safety, disrepair and management standards, which may affect inspection, valuation and compliance considerations for residential property professionals. It may also influence landlord costs, rental levels and the viability of some HMO stock in Bolton.
Key points
- Bolton plans to license nearly all HMOs, extending control beyond larger HMOs already covered.
- The council cites complaints about disrepair, including fire safety, electrical and structural defects, overcrowding, cold and damp.
- A five-year licence will cost £1,211 per property and fund administration and enforcement.
- A new enforcement team will support the scheme, with implementation expected in early 2027.
- Non-compliant landlords may face court action or civil penalties of up to £40,000.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
