Additional HMO licensing in Oxford

What the designation says

Oxford City Council operates a CITYWIDE Additional HMO Licensing Scheme. Oxford was the first council in England to introduce a citywide additional HMO scheme, in January 2011. The current scheme is the renewal that came into force on 10 June 2021 (replacing the previous scheme that expired 24 January 2021). It runs for 5 years . Designation under section 56 of the Housing Act 2004. There were ~30,508 privately rented homes in Oxford at the 2020 independent review (49.3% of the city's housing stock — one of the largest PRS proportions in England). An estimated 4,400 of those are HMOs (14.4% of PRS). The 2020 independent review found that approximately 6,200 of the 30,500 PRS properties (a fifth) could have a serious housing hazard. Between 2016-2021 the council received 3,360 complaints about 2,990 properties — around 1 in 10 of all privately rented homes. HMOs occupied by 3 or 4 tenants forming 2+ households fall under the Additional Licensing Scheme. HMOs that are classed as section 257 HMOs (self-contained flats in buildings converted without proper Building Regulations approval) also fall under Additional Licensing. HMOs with 5+ tenants fall under the Mandatory HMO licence scheme instead (unless they are section 257 HMOs). Two-stage structure (Stage 1 application fee + Stage 2 inspection/enforcement fee). Renewal fees depend on length of licence — Accredited Landlords can get longer licences. Verify current fees on oxford.gov.uk/houses-multiple-occupation-hmos/licence-fees-charges-hmo. Application is not "duly made" until both fees are paid; licence will not be issued until Stage 2 fee is paid. For 2/5-year renewals, Stage 2 must be paid within the time requested or only a 1-year licence will be issued. Oxford inspects all HMOs before issuing a new licence. Re-inspection during the 1-year term to check completion of required works. Re-inspection at any point on receipt of complaints. Standard conditions include gas safety (annual certificate), electrical safety (5-year EICR), fire safety, fit and proper person test, written tenancy agreements. Newer conditions include: arrangements for tenants to report emergencies where the licence holder is out of the country for over 1 month; provision of rent receipt where rent paid in cash; details of utility provider/billing where tenants pay bills; user manual/written instructions for fixed heating systems. Oxford's Amenity and Facility Guide for HMOs (updated 2018) sets minimum standards. Civil financial penalty up to £30,000 per offence. Unlimited fine on conviction. RROs up to 12 months (24 months under Renters' Rights Act 2025). Section 21 invalid where unlicensed. Oxford has a strong enforcement track record and does NOT typically warn landlords before starting investigations. oxford.gov.uk/houses-multiple-occupation-hmos / 01865 252307.

What this means for a landlord

A licence must be in place before the property is let, not applied for afterwards. Operating unlicensed in a designated area is a criminal offence: a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per offence, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and a section 21 notice that cannot be served while the property is unlicensed. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.

Oxford's own licensing page →