Key Points
- Bolton council wants to curb HMO growth
- Council cites limited planning and licensing powers
- Concerns over overcrowding and housing standards
- Residents report strain on local services and amenities
- Officers say more government powers are needed
Bolton (Bolton Today) February 7, 2026 – Bolton Council is seeking to “use its limited powers to try and control the growth in the number of HMOs” amid mounting concern over overcrowding, housing conditions, and pressure on local services. As reported by Emily Carter of Bolton News, senior officers told a council meeting that the authority has been “reacting rather than leading” on the issue, and is now pushing for stronger national legislation to give local authorities more leverage over how and where houses in multiple occupation are approved.
In a statement read to councillors, the council’s housing lead, Councillor Amina Khan, said: “We are doing what we can with the tools we have, but the reality is that central government controls the levers that really matter.”
Why is Bolton trying to control HMO growth?
The council’s renewed focus on HMOs comes after a series of complaints from residents about large numbers of students and low‑income tenants being housed in single‑family homes converted into multi‑room lets. As detailed by Emily Carter of Bolton News, some streets in areas such as Farnworth, Little Lever, and Halliwell have seen a noticeable increase in HMOs over the last five years, with local people saying that noise, rubbish, and parking problems have worsened.
In evidence presented to the council’s housing committee, officers noted that many of these properties are operating legally under existing licensing rules, but that the current system does not allow Bolton to cap the number of HMOs in particular neighbourhoods.
Councillor Khan told the meeting: “We cannot stop the market demand, but we can and must ensure that the impact on communities is managed properly.”
What powers does Bolton Council actually have?
Under current regulations, Bolton Council can license certain HMOs, carry out inspections, and enforce minimum standards on fire safety, room sizes, and shared facilities. As explained by housing officer David Wilson in a briefing cited by Emily Carter of Bolton News, the council operates a selective licensing scheme in some wards and a mandatory HMO licensing regime for larger properties (typically those occupied by five or more people in two or more households).
However, as Wilson acknowledged, the council cannot unilaterally ban HMOs in specific streets or refuse planning permission for change‑of‑use applications that fall within national policy.
As reported by Carter, officers are now exploring options such as strengthening local licensing conditions, tightening enforcement, and using Article 4 directions in limited circumstances to remove permitted development rights for certain changes of use.
A council spokesperson told Bolton News: “We are looking at every legal avenue to ensure that HMOs are managed in a way that protects both tenants and existing residents.”
What are residents saying about HMOs?
Residents in affected areas have voiced frustration at what they see as a lack of control over how their neighbourhoods are changing. As reported by Emily Carter of Bolton Today, a petition circulated in Halliwell gathered more than 1,200 signatures calling on the council to limit the number of HMOs and introduce stricter parking rules.
One resident, Sarah Mitchell, 48, told: “We used to have families on this street; now it’s almost all students and short‑term lets. The noise at weekends is unbearable and there’s never a parking space.”
Another resident, Raj Patel, 56, said: “We’re not against people renting, but when a four‑bedroom house has 10 tenants, it’s not sustainable.”
In a separate report for the Manchester Evening News, journalist Liam O’Connor quoted local councillor Tom Greaves, who represents a ward with a high concentration of HMOs.
What are the housing and health concerns?
Beyond noise and parking, the council has raised concerns about overcrowding, fire safety, and the quality of some HMOs. As detailed by Emily Carter of Bolton Today, council inspections in the last 12 months found a number of properties where room sizes fell below recommended standards, shared kitchens and bathrooms were in poor condition, or fire‑safety measures were inadequate.
In a statement, David Wilson said: “We have prosecuted a small number of rogue landlords, but many problems are resolved through improvement notices rather than court action.”
He added that the council is working with the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and environmental‑health officers to target the worst‑performing properties.
As reported by O’Connor in the Manchester Evening News, public‑health officials in Greater Manchester have also warned that overcrowded housing can contribute to the spread of respiratory infections and mental‑health problems.
A Greater Manchester public‑health spokesperson told the Evening News: “When too many people live in too little space, it can strain both physical and mental wellbeing.”
What is the council proposing to do?
In response, Bolton Council is drawing up a package of measures aimed at slowing the unchecked growth of HMOs and improving standards. As outlined by Emily Carter of Bolton Today, proposals include:
- Reviewing and potentially expanding selective licensing areas
- Tightening conditions on HMO licences (for example, on maximum occupancy and waste management)
- Working with universities and letting agents to encourage students to live in purpose‑built accommodation
- Lobbying central government for powers to introduce HMO‑control areas or caps in certain neighbourhoods
Councillor Khan told the housing committee: “We need to strike a balance between providing affordable housing and protecting the character and safety of our communities.”
As reported by O’Connor in the Manchester Evening News, the council is also considering whether to support a wider Greater Manchester initiative to push the government for new national rules on HMOs, including the ability to limit numbers in specific areas and introduce stricter planning controls.
What do landlords and letting agents say?
Landlords and letting agents argue that HMOs play an important role in providing affordable housing for students, low‑income workers, and others who might otherwise struggle to find a place to live. As reported by Emily Carter of Bolton Today, the Bolton branch of the National Landlords Association said that many HMO operators comply with regulations and invest in maintaining good standards.
As noted by O’Connor in the Manchester Evening News, some agents also warn that tighter controls could drive business into the unregulated sector, where conditions may be worse.