South East · Council licensing

Landlord licensing in West Oxfordshire

✓ Hand-verified 19 Aug 2026

Beyond mandatory HMO licensing, West Oxfordshire does not currently operate a selective or additional licensing scheme. Here's the current position.

Mandatory HMO licenceRequired

Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.

Licence feePaid in two parts
£1,339up to 6 rooms

Paid in two parts — one on application, the balance before the licence is issued, and the licence lasts 5 years.

Part 1£242
Part 2£1,097
Total£1,339
Each room£41
  • Renewal £242.00 + £994.00, plus £21.00 per room from 7 rooms capped at £200.00. 5-year licence. ; the source page and the verbatim quote are recorded in the licensing evidence on this row

West Oxfordshire — council's own published fees, read, read 19 Aug 2026

Selective licensingNot in force

Evidenced negative by enumeration (first-party research 19 Aug 2026): the council private housing HMO page presents mandatory licensing as the only licensing type operating, describing a property "occupied by five or more people, forming two or more households; AND tenants share facilities such as kitchen or bathrooms", and states "An HMO licence is valid for a period of five years unless otherwise specified by the authority." No s.80 selective designation is named. Note no licensing URL was previously held for this council. Oxford City Council operates its own additional HMO licensing designation. That is Oxford City's scheme, NOT West Oxfordshire's. Also distinct from Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and Oxfordshire County Council.

Additional licensing (HMOs)Not in force

Evidenced negative by enumeration (first-party research 19 Aug 2026): the council HMO page names no s.56 additional designation. Fee is two-part and quoted verbatim: "Application fee (Part 1) - £242.00" and "New licence issue fee (Part 2) - £1097.00", with "Additional Room fee (7 rooms or more) - £41.00". Renewal is "Application - £242.00; Licence Issue Fee (if application successful) - £994.00; Additional fee for seven or more rooms - £21.00 per additional letting room (capped at £200.00)." Total for a new licence up to 6 rooms is £1,339.00. this row previously held a flat £1,100, which is not a figure West Oxfordshire publishes.

Common questions

Does West Oxfordshire have a selective licensing scheme?

No. West 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 West Oxfordshire have an additional HMO licensing scheme?

No. West 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 West Oxfordshire?

A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including West 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.

Check your own propertyUnderstanding licensing

All property licensing in South East

Source: West Oxfordshire licensing page →

Every landlord in West 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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Landlord HQ uses AI to analyse legislation and tenancy agreements. While we work hard to ensure accuracy, AI can make mistakes. Always verify compliance requirements with a qualified solicitor. Landlord HQ is an information tool, not legal advice.

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