The Oxford City Council Designation of an Area for Additional Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation 2026 (scheme name: Oxford City Council Additional Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation Scheme 2026)

Status

In force

Runs

25 June 2026 to 24 June 2031

Designated

25 March 2026

Fee

For applications from 1 April 2026 a new HMO licence costs £858 (£407 when you apply and £451 when the council says it intends to grant the licence) where the HMO started operating or changed hands in the last 12 weeks, or the licence holder changes, and you send evidence. An HMO that has been unlicensed for more than 12 weeks pays the higher rate of £3,190 (£407 and £2,783). New licences usually last one year. Renewing costs £392 for one year, £432 for two years or £610 for five years where the HMO meets the council's criteria for a longer licence, and £744 where there are management concerns. A paper application costs £315 more (£265 for a renewal).

Applies to

HMOs anywhere in Oxford that don't need a mandatory licence: usually homes let to three or four people from two or more households who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet, and shared flats in any building that don't need a mandatory licence, such as a flat shared by five or more people in a purpose-built block of three or more flats. Also converted blocks of flats that don't meet the building regulations of their time (section 257 HMOs) where the flats are mainly or wholly rented out, including those with a resident landlord. Exempt: buildings the law says aren't HMOs, such as those run by the council, a housing association, the police, fire service or NHS, student housing managed by a university under the approved code and religious communities, and HMOs under a management order or with a temporary exemption.

Our records last verified 18 October 2026 · council designation page · licence conditions