North West
HMO licensing in Oldham
Oldham Council requires a mandatory licence for HMOs occupied by 5 or more people from 2 or more households. It also runs selective licensing in designated areas, covering privately rented homes that are not licensable HMOs. The published licence fee starts at £834.
Mandatory licence
5+ people, 2+ households
National scheme
Additional / selective
Selective
Council-designated schemes
Licence fee
From £834
Decision time
Not published
Licensing schemes in Oldham
Oldham's selective licensing scheme covers privately rented homes in five designated areas within parts of the Alexandra, St Mary's, St James, Waterhead, Coldhurst, Werneth, Chadderton South, Hollinwood and Medlock Vale wards. It came into effect on 4 July 2022 and, as a five-year designation, is expected to end on 3 July 2027; no renewal consultation has been published yet.
- In force from
- 4 July 2022
- Scheme ends
- 3 July 2027
Verified 24 September 2026
Licence fees
The published fee for a new HMO licence is £834. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.
Mandatory HMO licence: base application fee of £834 for a 5-bedroom HMO, plus £35.60 for each additional bedroom, plus a £380 compliance & enforcement fee payable once the licence is issued. All fees are non-refundable once submitted, even if the property is later sold or stops being let. Separately, Oldham's Selective Licensing scheme (covering designated low-housing-demand areas, not the whole borough) charges a total fee of £582, split into £340.34 payable on application and £241.66 payable if the licence is approved; a £48 charge applies for a copy of the selective licensing register.
Check the current fee on the council website (oldham.gov.uk) before you apply.
Additional and selective licence fees
Fees for council-designated schemes are set separately from the mandatory HMO fee. Figures are the standard full-rate fee for a new licence, before any discounts.
Selective licence
£582
Selective licence fee per licence for a privately rented property in a designated area, paid in two parts (£340.34 with the application + £241.66 if the licence is granted)
No accreditation discount published; the council states accreditation is not required to obtain a licence. Fees are non-refundable once an application is submitted. A £48 charge applies for a copy of the public register.
Scheme: From 4 July 2022
Checked 2 October 2026 against oldham.gov.uk
Minimum room sizes
| Single bedroom | 6.51 m² minimum floor area for one person over 10 years old (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Mandatory Conditions) (England) Regulations 2018). |
|---|---|
| Double bedroom | 10.22 m² minimum floor area for two persons over 10 years old (Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Mandatory Conditions) (England) Regulations 2018). |
| Child's bedroom (under 10 years) | 4.64 m² minimum; rooms below this size cannot be used as sleeping accommodation at all (national HMO space standard). |
National minimums for licensed HMOs are 6.51 m² for one adult and 10.22 m² for two adults; councils can apply higher local standards.
Fire safety requirements
- A current fire risk assessment must be provided with the application.
- A fire detection system certificate, including annual testing records, must be provided.
- Electrical installation condition report (EICR) must be current and within the last 5 years.
- A current portable appliance test (PAT) certificate must be provided.
Kitchen, bathroom and amenity standards
- A safe and reliable supply of water, gas and electricity must be maintained.
- Adequate washing, cooking and waste disposal facilities must be provided for the number of occupants.
Documents you will need
- EICR — Electrical installation condition report, satisfactory and within the last 5 years.
- Gas safety certificate — Current, from a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Management statement — Or self-management confirmation, describing how the property is managed.
- Tenancy agreement — Copy of the agreement used at the property.
- Proof of address — Dated within the last 6 months.
- Floor plans — Showing room layout and dimensions.
- PAT certificate — Current portable appliance test certificate.
- Fire risk assessment — Current assessment for the property.
- Fire detection system certificate — Including annual testing records.
Sources
Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with Oldham Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.