South East · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in South Oxfordshire
✓ Hand-verified 19 Aug 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, South Oxfordshire does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. Here's the current position.
Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.
Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued, and the licence lasts 5 years.
South Oxfordshire — council's own published fees, read, read 19 Aug 2026
Evidenced negative in the council's own words (first-party research 19 Aug 2026): the council mandatory HMO licensing page states verbatim "The council is not currently operating any additional or selective HMO licensing schemes." No consultation or committee decision 2020-2026 was found on southoxon.gov.uk. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse operate a shared service; evidence on southoxon.gov.uk belongs to South Oxfordshire. Oxford City Council operates its own additional HMO licensing designation. That is Oxford City's scheme, NOT South Oxfordshire's. Also distinct from Cherwell, West Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire County Council.
Evidenced negative in the council's own words (first-party research 19 Aug 2026): the council states verbatim "The council is not currently operating any additional or selective HMO licensing schemes." Fee is two-part and bedroom-banded, quoted from the council fee table as application fee plus issue fee: up to 5 bedrooms £591 + £394 = £985; 6 £614 + £409 = £1,023; 7 £637 + £424 = £1,061; 8 £659 + £440 = £1,099; 9 £682 + £455 = £1,137; 10 £705 + £470 = £1,175. The council adds "All fees are set locally by the council, reviewed annually and cover the five year licence period. Additional HMO advice visits are charged at £196."
Common questions
Does South Oxfordshire have a selective licensing scheme?
No. South Oxfordshire does not currently operate a selective licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Does South Oxfordshire have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. South Oxfordshire does not currently operate an additional HMO licensing scheme. Mandatory HMO licensing still applies wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Do I need an HMO licence in South Oxfordshire?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including South Oxfordshire, where a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households who share basic amenities. Smaller shared houses may also need a licence where an additional licensing scheme applies.
- Free landlord compliance check — five questions, no account
- Tenancy agreement checker — findings cited to the Act and section
All property licensing in South East →
Source: South Oxfordshire licensing page →
Every landlord in South Oxfordshire also needs
A valid Gas Safety certificate (annual), an EICR (every 5 years), a valid EPC, a protected deposit, smoke & CO alarms, the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet, and a current How to Rent guide — plus the new Section 8 possession rules since Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026.
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