North West
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
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This page includes the scheme records we currently hold, but council policies and boundaries can change. Treat it as a researched starting point and verify the latest position on the official council pages before acting.
Based on publicly available information, we show the licensing status we currently hold for Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, highlight mandatory HMO rules, and link you to official council sources for verification where we currently have them.
Confirm the current scheme boundary, licence fee, exemptions, application route, and any recent policy changes on the council website before making decisions.
Our current data is based on publicly available information. Always verify the latest licensing position, scheme boundaries, fees, and exemptions with Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council.
We research council licensing information from public sources and present it as general guidance. We do not replace the council's own licensing pages or legal advice.
Council updates
We will email you if Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council introduces, renews, or changes a licensing scheme. Free, occasional updates only. Always verify final requirements on the council website.
Free, occasional licensing updates only. You can unsubscribe at any time.
This page may already answer a lot of the question. Use the paid products only if you want a quicker written summary, a more risk-focused view, or ongoing monitoring.
Property Licensing Check
Live now
A concise written review for one property, postcode, or council situation based on current public council-source information.
Best for: Best for landlords, agents, and buyers who want written clarity quickly on one case.
Delivery: Concise report by email, usually within 2 working days
Licensing Due Diligence Report
Coming soon
A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.
Best for: Best for buyers, investors, agents, landlords refinancing, and conveyancers handling material decisions.
Delivery: Analyst-reviewed report with stronger risk framing
Alerts and monitoring
Coming soon
A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.
Best for: Best for landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates without building their own tracking process.
Delivery: Monthly monitoring and change alerts
These options are designed to save research time, improve clarity, and support decision-making. Final reliance should still be tied back to the relevant council and, where necessary, professional advice.
Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.
Borough-wide — applies to all qualifying HMOs in the Borough of Oldham
National mandatory scheme under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004. Licensing criteria was updated from the older 3-storey + 5-person rule to the current test: 5 or more people from 2 or more households sharing facilities, regardless of number of storeys (reflecting October 2018 national amendments). Council inspects properties to verify suitability. Operating without a licence is a criminal offence with a fine of up to £20,000 per the older council HMO page text (note: national maximum civil penalty is now £30,000 under the Housing and Planning Act 2016, with the Renters' Rights Act 2025 increasing this to £40,000 from May 2026). Property types covered: HMOs occupied by 5 or more people from 2 or more households who share facilities such as bathrooms or kitchens. Includes shared houses, flats occupied by students and young professionals, converted bedsits with shared facilities, and properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation.. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties listed in Schedule 14 of the Housing Act 2004. Standard national exemptions apply..
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
5 designated areas (Areas 1-5) across 7 wards in the Borough of Oldham, targeting privately rented single household properties in areas exhibiting low housing demand
This is Phase 1 of a two-phase approach approved by Cabinet on 21 March 2022. Phase 1 covers approximately 17.36% of the private rented sector. The rationale was to address low housing demand, with vacancy rates as high as 8% in some areas and over 30% of households in certain areas privately rented. Phase 1 resulted in 2,733 applications, 2,124 licences granted, 58 prosecutions for non-compliance, 1,256 property condition audits, 3,458 defects identified, and 115 serious hazards. Operating without a licence is a criminal offence; penalties include unlimited fine, rent repayment order, interim or final management order. Property types covered: All privately rented single household properties (dwellings occupied by a single household) in designated areas. Also applies to properties that may otherwise require mandatory HMO licensing.. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties exempt under the Selective Licensing of Houses (Specified Exemptions) (England) Order 2006 owner-occupied properties with no more than 2 lodgers sharing amenities properties managed by registered social landlords or local housing authorities properties subject to existing management orders properties with Temporary Exemption Notices..
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
These public research signals help show how recently this page was reviewed and what still needs checking before you rely on it.
Last reviewed
27 March 2026
Research confidence
High (75/100)
Sources checked
14
Core scheme details (Phase 1 dates, designation date, wards covered, number of properties, fee structure, absence of additional HMO licensing) confirmed from multiple official council sources and cross-referenced with reliable third-party sources including Kamma and Home Safe. The HMO mandatory licensing fee was confirmed directly from the current official council page. Phase 2 status remains uncertain; all evidence suggests it has not been formally designated as of March 2026 despite the planned December 2024 – March 2025 implementation window.
Single portal covering both selective licensing and mandatory HMO licensing registers. Powered by Metastreet platform. The council also historically referenced the public register of premises under the Housing Act at this URL. | Freely accessible online. Contains details of properties licensed under the Housing Act 2004. Register excludes properties with pending applications — absence from register does not confirm unlawful operation. JavaScript must be enabled to use the system.
Supporting sources
All councils in England must operate mandatory HMO licensing. This applies to properties with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households, regardless of location. If your property meets these criteria, you must apply for a mandatory HMO licence from Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council.
Borough-wide — applies to all qualifying HMOs in the Borough of Oldham
National mandatory scheme under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004. Licensing criteria was updated from the older 3-storey + 5-person rule to the current test: 5 or more people from 2 or more households sharing facilities, regardless of number of storeys (reflecting October 2018 national amendments). Council inspects properties to verify suitability. Operating without a licence is a criminal offence with a fine of up to £20,000 per the older council HMO page text (note: national maximum civil penalty is now £30,000 under the Housing and Planning Act 2016, with the Renters' Rights Act 2025 increasing this to £40,000 from May 2026). Property types covered: HMOs occupied by 5 or more people from 2 or more households who share facilities such as bathrooms or kitchens. Includes shared houses, flats occupied by students and young professionals, converted bedsits with shared facilities, and properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation.. Exemptions or exclusions: Properties listed in Schedule 14 of the Housing Act 2004. Standard national exemptions apply..
In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:
Use these routes to move from the Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council summary into the most relevant next action for your property, role, or research task.
Landlord with a standard let→
Start with a postcode if you want a property-specific route before relying on the council summary alone.
Shared occupancy or possible HMO→
Use the HMO checker if occupier numbers, households, or room-sharing could change the answer.
Check if a property has an HMO licence→
Use this if you need to check whether a property holds an HMO licence, or find the council's public HMO register.
Investor, buyer, or conveyancer→
Use the due diligence guide if this council page is part of a purchase, refinance, or pre-letting review.
Letting agent or portfolio manager→
Preview the monitoring route if you need ongoing watchlists and recurring scheme-change visibility.
Understand selective licensing rules→
Read the guide if you want the broader legal background on how selective licensing works alongside this council page.
Need the area-based route→
Use the selective licensing page if the real question is whether a standard rented home sits inside a designated area.
Tenant checking landlord compliance→
Use the tenant guide if you rent a property and want to check whether your landlord holds the right licence.
Important disclaimer
This tool provides general information about landlord licensing schemes in England. Results are based on publicly available data and may not reflect recent changes. This is not legal advice. Always verify licensing requirements directly with your local council before making decisions.
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