We have investigated the negative-parity states and electromagnetic transitions in $^{151,153}$Ho and $^{151,153}$Dy within the framework of the interacting boson fermion model 2 (IBFM-2). Spin assignments for some states with uncertain spin are made
based on this calculation. Calculated excitation energies, electromagnetic transitions and branching ratios are compared with available experimental data and a good agreement is obtained. The model wave functions have been used to study $beta$-decays from Ho to Dy isotones, and the calculated $log ft$ values are close to the experimental data.
