A property requires a HMO license if it is to be occupied by three or more unrelated individuals who share facilities
The map shows the number of HMOs in each council ward
There are 3,503 HMOs across Northern Ireland according to figures released by the Department for Communties this week.
The figures, which were provided in response to a written Assembly question by SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan, offers a detailed breakdown by electoral ward, highlighting significant regional disparities in HMO prevalence.
HMOs are properties rented out by at least three people who are not from the same household but share facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms.
They are commonly used by students, young professionals, and migrant workers, and tend to cluster near city centres, universities and transport hubs due to demand for affordable and flexible accommodation.
Belfast City Council emerges as the undisputed epicentre of HMOs, housing 2,934 properties, which represents approximately 83.7 per cent of the total HMOs in Northern Ireland. Within Belfast, the concentration is particularly acute in specific wards within the Botanic DEA.
With 1,343 HMOs, the Central ward alone accounts for over a third of all HMOs in Northern Ireland and nearly half of Belfast’s total. Windsor follows closely with 947 HMOs, while nearby Stranmillis records 272 HMOs.
Other Belfast wards with notable numbers include Ormeau (78), Blackstaff (53), and Beersbridge (34), while many others have fewer than 20 HMOs.
The numbers drop off sharply outside of Belfast, but certain areas still show a higher propensity for HMOs.
The Derry City and Strabane District Council area has the second-highest total with 220 HMOs. The vast majority of these are concentrated in the Northland ward (172 HMOs), close to Ulster University’s Magee campus.
Meanwhile, in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, there are 202 HMOs recorded, with the Atlantic ward (102 HMOs) being the primary concentration. University ward (29 HMOs) and Dunadooan (31 HMOs) are also notable.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council have 56 HMOs, Mid Ulster District Council have 20 and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have records of 18 HMOs.
Meanwhile, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has 15 HMOs, followed by Ards and North Down Borough Council with 12 and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council with 11 HMOs.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council accounts for nine HMOs while Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has the lowest recorded total with six HMOs.
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