HMO Licence in Bolton: Fee, Who Needs One and How to Apply

The fee, from Bolton’s own page

'We will make a charge for administering and issuing a licence. Fees must however, reflect the actual costs of licensing a property and have a structure which is fair and transparent. A licence will last for a maximum of five years, although it may be issued for a shorter period in certain circumstances. HMO licence fees and charges: Properties up to 9 rooms £893.67. Charge per additional room above 9 £25.66.' Other charges: finding unlicensed property owner £204.95, licensing reminder letter £20.90, inadequate application/certification/plans letters £20.90 each, copy of HMO public register £31.21.

No renewal-specific figure found (fees page doesn't distinguish new vs renewal). Important context: a Feb-2026 council news release says a NEW HMO licensing scheme (minimum quality standards) is being consulted on and won't be 'fully operational' until early 2027 -- flag this for the published page so the £893.67 figure isn't presented as permanent.

Bolton’s new-licence fee sits below the median of the 34 councils whose fee we could read from their own pages (£1,364). The cheapest verified is Islington at £288 and the dearest Lambeth at £2,530; fee structures differ — some charge per room or in occupancy bands, so a large HMO can cost far more than the headline figure above.

Who needs a licence in Bolton

The national rule is the same everywhere in England and Wales — gov.uk: “You must have a licence if you’re renting out a large HMO in England or Wales. Your property is defined as a large HMO if all of the following apply: it is rented to 5 or more people who form more than 1 household; some or all tenants share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities; at least 1 tenant pays rent (or their employer pays it for them).” … “A licence is valid for a maximum of 5 years. You must renew your licence before it runs out. You need a separate licence for each HMO you run.” Whether a smaller shared house needs a licence depends on whether the council runs an additional or selective scheme:

Additional licensing (smaller HMOs): none in force according to the council pages we read — Council was, as of a Feb-2026 news article, consulting on a NEW HMO licensing scheme ('minimum quality standards for HMOs') expected to be 'fully operational in early 2027' -- i.e. The £893.67-based fee schedule quoted above may be superseded once that new scheme launches..

Selective licensing (all private lets in an area): not confirmed either way on the pages we read — check the council’s licensing pages before letting to fewer than five.

Letting a licensable HMO without a licence is an offence; the penalties, rent repayment orders and the fee’s tax treatment are on the HMO licence in England guide.

The Bolton numbers around an HMO

• How many HMOs: the council estimated 720 HMOs in Bolton, of which 195 were mandatory-licensable and 190 licences had been issued (LAHS 2024-25, MHCLG) — every council’s figures.
• Rents: the average 4+-bedroom rent in Bolton is £1,434 a month (ONS, July 2026) against £884 across all sizes — rents, prices and yield in Bolton.
• EPC: 38% of EPCs lodged here in the last year were below band C, the level a rented home needs by 1 October 2030 (EPC ratings in Bolton).
• Council tax: Band D is £2,400 for 2026/27; in an HMO let room by room the landlord is usually the liable person (council tax in Bolton).

How to apply

Applications go to the council, not to a national body. Have the floor plans, gas and electrical certificates, fire-safety details and the manager’s details ready; most councils take a non-refundable first payment on submission and the balance on grant (the quote above shows where Bolton splits its fee, if it does).

Apply or check on Bolton’s site

All councils compared · Student HMOs and Ground 4A · Renters’ Rights Act rules