HMO licensing in West Oxfordshire

West Oxfordshire District Council operates the national mandatory scheme. We found no additional or selective licensing scheme in force or proposed as of September 2026. Councils can introduce one after a public consultation, so it is worth setting an alert.

The published fee for a new HMO licence is £1,339, and £1,236 to renew. Fees can depend on the number of occupants or lettings, and they are reviewed each year.

Two-part fee published on the council's HMO page. Part 1 application fee: £242.00 (payable on application). Part 2 licence issue fee (invoiced only if the application is successful): new licence £1,097.00, plus an 'Additional Room fee (7 rooms or more)' of £41.00 (the page does not state whether this is per additional room beyond six, so confirm with the council). Total for a new licence = £242 + £1,097 = £1,339 (sum calculated by us from the two published parts; excludes the additional-room fee). Renewal (terms and conditions apply): application £242.00 + licence issue fee £994.00 = £1,236 (calculated), plus £21.00 per additional letting room for seven or more rooms, capped at £200.00. The renewal discount does not apply if the renewal is received less than 28 days before expiry, validating documents are late, there are unnotified structural changes, outstanding enforcement action, or significant hazards or breaches of licence/management regulations found on renewal inspection. The fee is scaled by room count only at 7+ rooms; no accredited-landlord discount is published. The fee policy and the change of licence duration from 3 to 5 years were approved by the Executive on 9 July 2025 (decision published 11 July 2025), with the new fees applying from 1 September 2025. The two-part structure is a payment split, not an instalment plan, so instalments is null.

Check the current fee on the council website (westoxon.gov.uk) before you apply.

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 detection/alarms throughout the escape route, in kitchens and in the principal habitable room in all HMOs; bedsit-type HMOs also need detection in all risk rooms (letting rooms, communal lounges/dining rooms and some cupboards opening onto the escape route). Standards for each property are set after inspection, by reference to the LACORS 'Housing - Fire Safety' guide also used by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
• A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment (Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Fire Safety Act 2021) is required and a copy must be submitted with the licence application.
• Final exit doors and doors to individual lettings must be openable from the inside without a key; no key-operated locks along any part of the escape route.
• Carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation that contains a fixed combustion appliance other than a gas cooker (Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022). Fire detection standard in HMOs is higher than these regulations.
• Fire blanket required in every kitchen; furniture must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988; no portable paraffin, oil, LPG or other open-flame heaters permitted; no pre-payment meters.
• Application requires a fire alarm installation or test certificate dated within the last year, and an emergency lighting test certificate if installed.

• Bathrooms and toilets (shared): 3-4 occupiers - one bathroom with bath/shower and wash-hand basin plus one toilet (may be in the bathroom); 5 occupiers - one bathroom plus one separate toilet with wash-hand basin; 6-7 - two bathrooms and two toilets (may be within bathrooms); 8-10 - two bathrooms and two toilets, one of which must be in a separate compartment with a wash-hand basin; each further 5 occupiers - one extra bathroom and toilet. Facilities no more than one floor from any letting. Exclusive-use ensuites must be enclosed and contain toilet, basin and bath/shower to be discounted from sharing.
• Shared kitchen minimum sizes: 3-4 occupiers 6 sqm (kitchen-diner 10 sqm); 5-7 occupiers 9 sqm (13 sqm); 8-10 occupiers 12 sqm (16 sqm). No kitchen may serve more than 10 people. Shared kitchen facilities for up to 5 persons: 4 rings, 1 oven and grill, 1 sink with draining board, 1500 x 600 mm worktop, 4 sockets; 6-7 persons: add a combination microwave or 6 rings/2 ovens, 1.5 sinks (or 1 plus dishwasher), 2000 x 600 mm worktop, 6 sockets; 8-10 persons: 2 sinks (or 1.5 plus dishwasher), 2500 x 600 mm worktop, 8 sockets.
• Storage 0.2 m3 per person; fridge and freezer space of 30 litres fridge and 15 litres freezer per person; covered refuse disposal of about 10 litres per person. Exclusive-use kitchens (max 2 persons): 2 fixed rings plus oven/grill or combination microwave, full-bowl sink, 1000 x 600 mm worktop, 4 sockets.
• Heating: fixed and controllable, able to maintain, when it is -1 degrees C outside, 21 C in reception rooms and kitchens, 18 C in bedrooms, 22 C in bathrooms and 19 C in hallways, with no reliance on portable heaters. Bedrooms must have at least four sockets (or two double sockets). Natural light: glazed area at least 1/10 of floor area; ventilation: openable window area at least 1/20 of floor area; mechanical ventilation (externally vented) where natural ventilation is inadequate.
• Electrical: EICR with a satisfactory result, at least every 5 years; EET/PAT annually for landlord-supplied testable appliances over 12 months old. Gas Safety Record annually.

• Proof of ID and permanent address — Photographic ID and proof of the proposed licence holder's permanent address: ideally a driving licence, or a passport plus a bank/building society statement, utility bill or tax correspondence dated within the last 3 months. Also required for the proposed manager if different.
• DBS certificate — A basic DBS certificate dated within the last 6 months for each person named as licence holder or manager, or for the director/person signing for a company. Forms part of the fit and proper person checks.
• Floor plan — Each storey, reasonably reflecting size and layout, showing doors, windows, room dimensions, fire safety information (fire doors, smoke/heat detectors, alarm panel and call points) and amenities (cookers, sinks, toilets, baths, showers, wash-hand basins). The council publishes floor plan guidance.
• Fire alarm installation or test certificate — Installation, test or inspection certificate/report dated within the last year.
• Fire risk assessment — Required by the council for all HMOs, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
• Gas Safety Record — Most recent certificate (annual); if there is no gas supply, say so.
• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — Issued within the last 5 years with a 'satisfactory' result, or accompanied by a certificate of works showing that remedial work gives a satisfactory result.
• EET/PAT certificate and report — If any testable appliances over a year old are supplied: a certificate and report dated within the last year listing all appliances tested. Alternatively, if all appliances are under a year old, a signed and dated statement giving the date they are due to be tested.
• Emergency lighting test certificate — If installed; state if not installed.
• Building Regulations completion certificates — If applicable.

• westoxon.gov.uk
• westoxon.gov.uk
• meetings.westoxon.gov.uk
• meetings.westoxon.gov.uk

Compiled from the council’s own published pages and documents; data reviewed September 2026. Rules and fees change, so always confirm with West Oxfordshire District Council before applying. This is general information, not legal advice.