Which areas are covered
| Scheme | Area | Runs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selective licensing | Whole city | 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2027 | From 1 April 2026: £853 standard (£323 + £530), £612 accredited, £1,803 higher rate if unlicensed for over 12 weeks, £210 renewal of a 1-year licence |
| Additional HMO licensing | Whole city (HMOs with 3 or 4 occupiers and section 257 HMOs) | 25 June 2026 to 24 June 2031 | From 1 April 2026: £858 standard new application (£407 + £451), £3,190 higher rate if unlicensed over 12 weeks; renewals from £392 |
| Mandatory HMO licensing | Whole city (HMOs with 5 or more tenants) | not published to no end date | Same fees as additional HMO licences: £858 standard new application, £3,190 higher rate, renewals from £392 |
Do I need a licence?
- An HMO with five or more people forming two or more households: yes, mandatory HMO licence.
- A smaller HMO inside an additional licensing area: yes, additional licence.
- Any privately rented home inside a selective licensing area: yes, selective licence.
How to apply and what it costs
Apply on the Oxford City Council website. Published fees: Selective licensing From 1 April 2026: £853 standard (£323 + £530), £612 accredited, £1,803 higher rate if unlicensed for over 12 weeks, £210 renewal of a 1-year licence; Additional HMO licensing From 1 April 2026: £858 standard new application (£407 + £451), £3,190 higher rate if unlicensed over 12 weeks; renewals from £392; Mandatory HMO licensing Same fees as additional HMO licences: £858 standard new application, £3,190 higher rate, renewals from £392.
Penalties for letting without a licence
Oxford states that renting out a property without a required licence can lead to prosecution with an unlimited fine or a penalty of up to £30,000, a 'not fit and proper' finding, a management order, or a rent repayment order.
What else to know about Oxford City Council
- Mandatory HMO, additional HMO and selective licensing all cover the whole of Oxford, so almost every privately rented home needs either an HMO licence or a selective licence unless exempt.
- The new additional HMO designation came into force at 00:00 on 25 June 2026 and ceases at 00:00 on 25 June 2031; the 2021 designation ended on 9 June 2026, leaving a short gap.
- Selective and HMO licence applications can only be submitted up to four weeks before the tenancy start date.
- The higher-rate fee is charged by default unless you send evidence, such as a purchase completion or signed tenancy dated within the last 12 weeks, that the property only recently became licensable.
- By 31 August 2025 the council had received 12,876 selective licence applications covering 14,516 properties, and 31% of 1,092 inspected homes had a Category 1 hazard.
- HMO licences default to one year; accredited landlords meeting the criteria can get two- or five-year licences.
Landlord compliance checklist
Licensing is one part of compliance. Use the compliance checklist, and if you’re starting a tenancy, the compliance pack.
Frequently asked questions
Does Oxford City Council have selective licensing?
Yes, in these areas: Whole city. Check your street on the council’s map.
Does Oxford City Council have additional HMO licensing?
Yes: Whole city (HMOs with 3 or 4 occupiers and section 257 HMOs).
Do large HMOs need a licence?
Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across England to HMOs occupied by five or more people forming two or more households.
How do I apply?
Apply through the council’s website: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/selective-licensing/apply-selective-licence