South East · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Vale of White Horse
✓ Hand-verified 19 Aug 2026Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, Vale of White Horse 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.
Vale of White Horse — 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 Vale of White Horse mandatory HMO licensing page states verbatim "The council is not currently operating any additional or selective HMO licensing schemes." The Vale carries its own statement rather than inheriting South Oxfordshire's, despite the shared service. Oxford City Council operates its own additional HMO licensing designation. That is Oxford City's scheme, NOT the Vale of White Horse'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 banded by bedrooms: up to 5 bedrooms £591 part one plus £394 part two, total £985; 6 bedrooms £614 plus £409, total £1,023; 7 £637 plus £424, total £1,061; 8 £659 plus £440, total £1,099; 9 £682 plus £455, total £1,137; 10 £705 plus £470, total £1,175. The council adds "All fees are set locally by the council, reviewed annually and cover the five year licence period." An additional HMO advice visit is £187. the shared-service partner South Oxfordshire publishes the same fee bands but charges £196 for an advice visit, so the two authorities are not identical and must be read separately.
Common questions
Does Vale of White Horse have a selective licensing scheme?
No. Vale of White Horse 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 Vale of White Horse have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
No. Vale of White Horse 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 Vale of White Horse?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Vale of White Horse, 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: Vale of White Horse licensing page →
Every landlord in Vale of White Horse 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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