Causeway Coast and Glens Council area has third highest number of HMOs in NI

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has revealed the borough has the third highest number of HMOs in Northern Ireland.

A standard HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) has at least three tenants, from two or more separate households, living in them and sharing amenities, and are often used as student accommodation.

New figures show that, during the 2205/26 financial year, Causeway Coast and Glens had the third highest number of HMOs across the 11 council areas.

placeholder image — New figures show that, during the 2205/26 financial year, Causeway Coast and Glens had the third highest number of HMOs across the 11 council areas.

Large HMOs, with five or more tenants, require a mandatory licence from councils, and many councils also require additional or selective licences for smaller HMOs.

A council report, presented to October’s Environmental Services Committee, said that as of March 2026, Causeway Coast and Glens had 214 HMOs, with 927 occupants behind Derry City and Strabane with 250 (1,202 occupants) and Belfast with 2,996 (12,981 occupants).

Causeway is the DEA with the highest number of HMOs (153), followed by Coleraine (50), Ballymoney and Bann (5 each), and the Glens (1).

During the same financial year council granted 16 new applications and 44 renewal applications.