The tables below give the fees for the HMO licensing scheme and the refund policy.
Following a legal case brought by a landlord (Gaskin) against London Borough of Richmond, the Council are obliged to request fees in two stages:
- Stage 1 must be paid when you make the application. The stage 1 fee can only cover costs associated with the application process costs. Oxford City Council has calculated the average costs associated with processing the application up to and including the issue of intention to grant a licence (or refuse to grant a licence).
- Stage 2 must be paid when you are sent the “notice of intention to grant a licence”. The stage 2 fee covers ongoing scheme application, operation of the scheme and enforcement costs. Oxford City Council has calculated the average costs associated with ongoing operation and enforcement of the scheme.
Your application is not “duly made” until both fees are paid. Your licence will not be issued until stage 2 fee is paid.
If you have applied for a two or five year renewal, the Stage 2 fee must be paid within the time requested. If payment is not made within the requested time, you will automatically be issued with a one year licence (and any overpayment will be refunded).
For 2021/22 we are planning for an improved online application system. This has meant that some of the costs associated with processing the higher new application and renewal application fee categories have been moved into the stage 2 fee payment.
Fees
Fees are charged by financial year.
|
Category |
Description |
2022/23 Fee |
2023/24 Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
A |
Higher Rate New Application - New application for a one-year licence where the HMO has been operating unlicensed for more than 12 weeks. This includes where the previous licence expired over 12 weeks ago. |
Stage 1; £286 Stage 2: £1,834 Total: £2,120 |
Stage 1; £315 Stage 2: £2,015 Total: £2,330 |
|
B |
Standard New Application - |
Stage 1: £286 Stage 2: £288 Total: £574 |
Stage 1: £315 Stage 2: £320 Total: £635 |
|
C |
Standard Renewal - Annual renewal where there are no management concerns or outstanding conditions and the licence holder is not an Accredited Landlord |
Stage 1: £92 Stage 2: £182 Total: £274 |
Stage 1: £100 Stage 2: £200 Total: £300 |
|
D |
Higher Rate Renewal - Annual renewal where there are management concerns, non-compliance issues or other reasons that re-inspection or audit is required |
Stage 1: £92 Stage 2: £428 Total: £520 |
Stage 1: £100 Stage 2: £470 Total: £570 |
|
E |
Two year licence renewal where all two-year licence criteria are met |
Stage 1: £92 Stage 2: £210 Total: £302 |
Stage 1: £100 Stage 2: £230 Total: £330 |
|
F |
Five year licence renewal where all five year licence criteria are met |
Stage 1: £92 Stage 2: £334 Total: £426 |
Stage 1: £100 Stage 2: £365 Total: £465 |
Charges for other services
The financial charges for other services associated with HMO licensing are shown below.
|
Description |
2022/23 Fee |
2023/24 Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Fire Risk Assessment provided by our Building Control Service |
£330 | £350 |
|
HMO licensing advice (per visit) |
£201 | £215 |
| Surcharge for provision of paper application form - new HMO licence | N/A | £240 |
| Surcharge for provision of paper application form - renewal HMO licence | N/A | £200 |
|
Assisting tenant to apply for Rent Repayment Order (RRO) |
POA | POA |
Refunds
The licensing fees are set to recover the costs of the licensing scheme as a whole. Refunds are only made as listed below. Refunds will be made to the card used for the payment.
The retained amount covers the costs incurred by the Council.
Refund Policy
|
Application Type |
Circumstance |
Refund amount |
|---|---|---|
|
New or Renewal application: |
Property was not an HMO at the time the application was made and has not been occupied as an HMO Only where a landlord can demonstrate that the property has never been occupied as an HMO |
Stage one payment – full refund Stage two payment – full refund |
|
New application: |
Property has ceased to be an HMO since application was made. Inspection not yet undertaken |
Stage one payment – amount paid minus £116 |
|
New application: |
Property has ceased to be an HMO since application was made. Inspection completed and intention notice not yet issued |
Stage one payment – no refund |
|
New application: |
Property has ceased to be an HMO since application was made. Intention notice issued however decision notice not yet issued |
Stage one payment – no refund Stage two payment – no refund |
|
Renewal application: |
Property has ceased to be an HMO since application was made. Intention notice not yet issued |
Stage one payment – amount paid minus £50 |
|
Renewal application: |
Property has ceased to be an HMO since application was made. Intention notice issued however decision notice not yet issued |
Stage one payment – no refund Stage two payment – full refund |
|
New or renewal application |
Intention notice issued. Stage two not paid. Application withdrawn by Council. |
Stage one payment – no refund |
|
Revocation of licence (new or renewal licence) |
After decision notice is issued |
Stage one payment – no refund Stage two payment – no refund |
|
Overpayment of fees |
Where a landlord has overpaid fees, the difference will be refunded i.e. landlord pays for a two year licence and is granted a one year licence |
Stage two payment – difference refunded |
