When you've submitted your application for a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) and paid the fee we begin the approval process.

Copies of Safety certificates

We will ask you to send us copies of safety certificates:

  • Gas Safety certificate
  • Fire Alarm test certificates
  • Emergency Lighting test certificates
  • Energy Performance Certificate
  • Domestic Electrical Periodic Inspection Report

Please send copies by email or post to the address below. Do not send originals as we are unable to return them.

It is a condition of all HMO licences in Oxford that you send us updated certificates each year as they expire, so we always hold an up-to-date copy in our records.

Unsatisfactory certificates will not be accepted; any remedial works identified on the certificates must be completed and a new satisfactory certificate submitted.

Property inspection and draft conditions

After we have received your valid application:

  • we will arrange to inspect the house.
  • we will draft licence conditions (known as an Intention Notice) based on the findings from this inspection and this will be emailed to you and all interested parties for consultation (we can serve these by post for an additional fee)
  • you will have an opportunity to make any representations, which we will consider
  • we grant your HMO licence (known as the Decision Notice) and this will be emailed to you and all interested parties
  • if you are still unhappy with the conditions, you will have an opportunity to appeal to the First-tier Property Tribunal

Make an HMO licence representation

Re-inspections

We will re-inspect the property later in the year to check conditions have been complied with.

Failing to comply with any conditions on your licence is an offence.

When to renew you first licence

Your first licence will run for one (1) year, and you must renew your HMO licence before it expires.

After your first year, you may get the opportunity to apply for longer licences, provided you meet all the renewal criteria

More information

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