Belfast City Council passed a proposal on April 1 for officials to map all houses in multiple occupation across the city, including their numbers, distribution, and concentration, along with data on short-term let accommodation.

The motion came from DUP Alderman Dean McCullough during a council meeting. He stated HMOs place unsustainable pressure on communities including the Shore Road, New Lodge Road, Shankill Road, and Falls Road. McCullough noted properties are lost in established communities where families face housing shortages.

Police investigated criminal damage to properties on Templemore Avenue and Paxton Street in east Belfast around that time. Reports included broken windows and graffiti reading 'No HMOs'. The PSNI examined potential hate crime motivations.

Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth attributed some HMO concerns to racism and linked broader housing shortages to insufficient home construction since the Good Friday Agreement. He described HMOs as an essential regulated rental option.

Green Party Councillor Áine Groogan called HMOs a necessary form of accommodation, better regulated than other private rentals. She expressed confidence in the 10 percent and 20 percent thresholds set by legislation to prevent overprovision.

DUP Councillor Sarah Bunting rejected racism accusations and pointed to rises in HMOs, Airbnbs, and short-term lets causing antisocial behaviour, waste issues, and challenges for residents in settled neighbourhoods.

People Before Profit Councillor Michael Collins criticised the debate as dog whistle politics targeting migrants. SDLP Councillor Gary McKeown called for regulations on short-term lets similar to those for HMOs.

As of March 31, Belfast had 2,996 licensed HMOs with permitted occupancy for 12,981 people, out of 3,609 across Northern Ireland. In the 2025/26 financial year, Belfast processed 150 new applications and 578 renewals, refusing 22 new licences including five for overprovision.