Landlords in Bolton will face mandatory training as a condition of getting an additional licence under plans agreed by the town council.

Set to be introduced early next year at a cost of £1,211, the borough-wide additional licensing scheme aims to raise both property and management practices, and councillors also want licence holder and managing agents to undertake mandatory training on HMO fundamentals from an approved provider.

Following a public consultation, it also acknowledged that a number of existing HMOs would not meet the new increased minimum bedroom size, which will increase from 6.5m square to 7.5m square – and proposed that an implementation period will be allowed to make any necessary changes. Standards around kitchen and communal space have been amended to make them more flexible.

A council report explains that it will set up a dedicated team of five officers to focus specifically on additional licensing as its housing standards team doesn’t have sufficient capacity to absorb this work. “Additionally, extra capacity is being created to enable more proactive and targeted work to tackle landlords who operate illegally and rent out substandard accommodation that put tenants at risk. This will also provide wider support to the licensing regime as and when required.”

Complaints

It says of the 1,885 complaints about disrepair in rented homes it received over the last three years, 397 related specifically to HMOs. Its consultation found “strong support” for a new scheme but found respondents emphasised this must be backed by sufficient staffing, proactive inspections and meaningful penalties.

It adds: “While many respondents support stronger regulation, there are concerns, particularly from landlords that additional costs, stricter standards and licensing requirements could reduce the supply of shared housing and increase rents, with costs likely to be passed on to tenants.”

Unacceptable

Councillor Sean Fielding, executive member for adults and community housing services, says it’s unacceptable that landlords cut corners in critical areas such as failing to obtain fire, gas, and electrical safety certificates or ensuring properties are safe.

“Overcrowded HMOs can also damage once thriving communities, as tenants move on quickly and anti-social behaviour can flare up in the neighbourhoods,” he adds. “The new licensing will help tackle these issues, and when the council receives direct complaints, it will now have stronger powers to take action.”

‍