Do I need an HMO licence in Bolton? (2026)
Last updated 2026-06-20
In Bolton, an HMO licence is required where a property is let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. Bolton runs mandatory HMO licensing only, so a licence is required for larger HMOs above the mandatory threshold. The council fee is £894, paid directly to Bolton. Get HMO Licence completes and submits the whole application for £599.
Check & start my Bolton application — £599
- Licence needed?
- Yes, where a property is let to 5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet
- Schemes in operation
- Mandatory licensing
- Council fee
- £894
- Processing time
- check with Bolton
- Article 4
- Yes
How much does an HMO licence cost in Bolton?
The council fee for an HMO licence in Bolton is £894, with our done-for-you service at £599.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Council fee — on application (Part A) | check with Bolton |
| Council fee — on grant (Part B) | check with Bolton |
| Council fee — total (paid to the council) | £894 |
| Get HMO Licence — we do it for you | £599 |
| Measured floor plan where the council requires a scaled plan | Price on request |
| Fire risk assessment where required for the licence | Price on request |
Verified 2026-06-20
The council’s own fee is paid directly to the council — we add no markup.
Scheme types in Bolton
- Mandatory HMO licensing applies to larger HMOs (5 or more people forming 2 or more separate households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet).
Article 4 directions in Bolton
Bolton has at least one Article 4 direction that removes permitted development rights for HMO conversions.
Local rules in Bolton
- £893.67 for properties up to 9 rooms, +£25.66 per room above 9; single flat fee (no Part A/B split).
- Proposed borough-wide Additional scheme (£1,211) at consultation only - NOT in force June 2026.
- Article 4 Direction (June 2025) - planning permission needed to convert to HMO; scaled layout plan required (£20.90 charge if unsatisfactory).
How long does it take in Bolton?
Bolton does not publish a standard processing time — we confirm the current timescale with Bolton when we submit your application.
Frequently asked questions
How much is an HMO licence in Bolton?
The council fee for an HMO licence in Bolton is £894. Get HMO Licence completes and submits the application for £599.
How long does an HMO licence take in Bolton?
Bolton does not publish a standard processing time — we confirm the current timescale with Bolton when we submit your application.
Does Bolton have additional or selective licensing?
Bolton operates mandatory HMO licensing. Check with Bolton for any additional or selective schemes.
Can Get HMO Licence apply for my Bolton HMO licence for me?
Yes. Get HMO Licence completes and submits your Bolton HMO licence application for £599, with the council fee paid directly to Bolton.
Renting a shared home in Bolton? You may need an HMO licence.
Operating an unlicensed HMO risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per offence, plus a Rent Repayment Order of up to 24 months’ rent (Renters' Rights Act 2025).
We handle the whole application for £599.
Doing it yourself is the best part of a day — chasing certificates and decoding your council’s forms. We give you that day back: about five minutes from you, and we handle the rest.
Start my Bolton application — £599What you get
- Your day back — about five minutes of input from you, not a day of paperwork
- We complete and submit the full application to your council
- All the right forms for your council’s scheme
- A document checklist so nothing is missed
- A specialist review before submission
- Email support throughout
The council’s own fee (around £894) is paid directly to the council — no markup.
If we make an error that gets your application rejected as incomplete, we fix it free. We can never guarantee a licence. That decision is the council’s.
Secure payment via Stripe.
Prefer we call you and take it from here?
Leave your details — no payment to enquire — and we’ll confirm Bolton’s scheme and handle the whole application for you.
Prefer to DIY? Bolton HMO register →