Oxford City Council Designation for an Area for Selective Licensing No 1, 2022 (all wards except Holywell) and No.2, 2022 (Holywell ward) (scheme name: Oxford City Council Selective Licensing Scheme 2022)

Status

In force

Runs

1 September 2022 to 31 August 2027

Designated

10 March 2021

Fee

For applications from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 a new licence costs £853 (£323 when you apply and £530 when the draft licence is issued) if you apply within 12 weeks of the home first needing a licence and send evidence, such as the tenancy agreement or proof of purchase. Without that evidence the higher rate of £1,803 applies (£323 and £1,480). Accredited landlords, or homes fully managed by an accredited agent, pay £612 (£323 and £289) when they also qualify for the £853 rate and send every safety certificate with the application. Renewing a one-year licence before it expires costs £210. A paper application costs £313 more.

Applies to

Every privately rented home in Oxford that doesn't need an HMO licence: homes let to one person, two people or one family, including flats and studios. Shared houses and flats with three or more people from two or more households usually need an HMO licence instead, since Oxford's additional HMO licensing covers the whole city. Exempt: homes let by a housing association or the council, homes run by the police, fire service or NHS, student halls managed by a university or college under the approved code, holiday lets, owners or their family living with up to two lodgers, rooms let by the owner to members of their family, homes under a management order or with a temporary exemption, and the other kinds of letting exempt nationally.

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