Do I need a landlord licence in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council?

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council currently operates selective licensing. Whether you need a licence depends on the property location, type, and occupancy. Use the postcode checker on this page or contact the council directly to confirm.

How much does a property licence cost in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council?

Based on our current data, licence fees in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: Fee structure: £759 application fee (covers up to 5 bedrooms) + £32.40 per additional bedroom beyond 5 + £346 compliance & enforcement fee payable once licence is issued. Example for 5-bedroom property: £759 + £346 = £1,105 total. Example for 6-bedroom property: £759 + £32.40 + £346 = £1,137.40 total. Required documents: Electrical Installation Condition Report (within 5 years, no Code 1/2 defects), current gas safety certificate, management statement, tenancy agreement, proof of address, floor plans, portable appliance test certificate, fire risk assessment, fire detection system certificate with annual testing records. No accreditation discount mentioned on council website; Selective Licensing Scheme Phase 1 (2022–2027): Total licence fee is £582 per property, paid in two stages: £340.34 application fee paid on submission; £241.66 monitoring & compliance fee payable if licence is granted. A separate cost breakdown document is available from the council. No accreditation discount or early-bird discount mentioned on council website. Fees can vary and may include discounts for early applications. Always check the latest fees on the council website before applying.

Does mandatory HMO licensing apply in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council?

Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.

What happens if I rent without a licence in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council?

Operating a licensable property without the correct licence can lead to enforcement action. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, GOV.UK guidance refers to civil penalties of up to £40,000 for relevant offences, with different treatment for breaches and for offences committed before that date. Earlier cases may still be assessed under previous rules. Tenants or local authorities may be able to apply for a rent repayment order. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. From 1 May 2026, Section 21 notices can no longer be used for existing or new private tenancies in England. Transitional rules may still matter for notices served before that date.

Enhanced research coverage

Landlord licensing in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

North West

We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.

Council website

Licensing scorecard

Enhanced coverage

Our current data shows active local licensing signals. Verify the latest boundaries, dates, fees, and exemptions with the council.

Selective licensing

Active selective

Additional HMO licensing

No active additional scheme shown

Mandatory HMO licensing

Applies across England

Source confidence: High
Boundary confidence: Low
Public register: Clear searchable register (1/5)
Last reviewed: 27 March 2026
Next review due: Not scheduled
Sources recorded: 14

Open the official council source

Our current data is a research summary, not a legal record. This should be verified with the council before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action. Mandatory HMO licensing may still apply even where no local additional or selective scheme is recorded.

Recommended next step

Verify the position with the official council source

Our current data shows an active local scheme and a clear area match. The fastest reliable next step is to confirm the current fees, dates, boundaries, and exemptions on the official council source before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action.

Check the official council source Get a written property licensing check

What still adds uncertainty

At least one scheme uses street or custom-area boundaries, so a postcode match can only be approximate.
Mandatory HMO licensing can apply based on occupancy and households, which cannot be confirmed from a postcode alone.

Buying, refinancing, or completing conveyancing? A due diligence report pulls the licensing position together with the official routes so the risk is documented before you commit. This is an information service and is not legal advice.

Verify with the council

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.

Verify on official council licensing page Council website Report an inaccuracy

Council updates

Get updates for Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

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.

If you need more than the council page

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

£29 · Live now

A property-specific PDF licensing report with a verification email template, current scheme fees, and a £30,000 risk context block — delivered to your inbox automatically.

Continue to secure payment

Licensing Due Diligence Report

£79 · Live now

A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.

Request the report

Alerts and monitoring

£12.99/month · Coming soon

A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.

See alerts and monitoring

These are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.

Check a postcode in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.

Local licensing scheme records

Selective LicensingActive

Selective Licensing Scheme Phase 1 (2022–2027)

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

Fee guide: Total licence fee is £582 per property, paid in two stages: £340.34 application fee paid on submission; £241.66 monitoring & compliance fee payable if licence is granted. A separate cost breakdown document is available from the council. No accreditation discount or early-bird discount mentioned on council website
Discount available: No accreditation discount or early-bird discount mentioned on council website
Designation date: 1 April 2022
Scheme period: 4 July 2022 - 3 July 2027
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years (to end of scheme period)
Coverage: See council website for boundaries

Apply for licence

Research notes

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.

Verify on official council page

Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.

Public licensing register

Councils must keep a public register of licensed properties. How easy it is to use varies a lot between councils.

Public register found: Yes
Search method: Search online
Register usability: Clear searchable register (1/5)

HMOSelective

Appears to cover HMO and selective licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.

Register notes

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.

Open the public register

The council register and official source pages should be treated as the source of truth. Our summary is a guide to help you find and use them, not a substitute for the live register. How public registers work.

Research summary

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

Research notes

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.

Council contact details

Email: landlordlicensing@oldham.gov.uk
Phone: 0161 770 2244

Important to verify

Phase 2 formal designation status and date (if it has been designated, this extraction should be updated)
Exact ward and area boundaries for Phases 2 Areas 6 and 7
Whether Phase 2 fee has been set (may differ from Phase 1 £582)
Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.

Supporting sources

Mandatory HMO licensing

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.

Not sure whether the rules apply? Use the HMO licence checker to check whether a property may need an HMO licence, then verify the current position with Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council.

Council-specific HMO detail we currently show

Borough-wide - applies to all qualifying HMOs in the Borough of Oldham

Fee notes: Fee structure: £759 application fee (covers up to 5 bedrooms) + £32.40 per additional bedroom beyond 5 + £346 compliance & enforcement fee payable once licence is issued. Example for 5-bedroom property: £759 + £346 = £1,105 total. Example for 6-bedroom property: £759 + £32.40 + £346 = £1,137.40 total. Required documents: Electrical Installation Condition Report (within 5 years, no Code 1/2 defects), current gas safety certificate, management statement, tenancy agreement, proof of address, floor plans, portable appliance test certificate, fire risk assessment, fire detection system certificate with annual testing records. No accreditation discount mentioned on council website
Typical licence term: Up to 5 years

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. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, GOV.UK guidance refers to civil penalties of up to £40,000 for relevant offences, with different treatment for breaches and for offences committed before that date. Earlier cases may still be assessed under previous rules. 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.

View HMO licensing info on council website

Other compliance requirements

In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:

Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) - renewed annually
EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) - every 5 years
EPC rating of E or above - required before letting
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms - checked at start of tenancy
Deposit protection - within 30 days of receiving deposit
Right to Rent checks - before tenancy starts

View full compliance checklist →

Common questions about licensing in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

Do I need a landlord licence in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council?: Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council currently operates selective licensing. Whether you need a licence depends on the property location, type, and occupancy. Use the postcode checker on this page or contact the council directly to confirm.
How much does a property licence cost in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council?: Based on our current data, licence fees in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council are approximately: Mandatory HMO Licensing: Fee structure: £759 application fee (covers up to 5 bedrooms) + £32.40 per additional bedroom beyond 5 + £346 compliance & enforcement fee payable once licence is issued. Example for 5-bedroom property: £759 + £346 = £1,105 total. Example for 6-bedroom property: £759 + £32.40 + £346 = £1,137.40 total. Required documents: Electrical Installation Condition Report (within 5 years, no Code 1/2 defects), current gas safety certificate, management statement, tenancy agreement, proof of address, floor plans, portable appliance test certificate, fire risk assessment, fire detection system certificate with annual testing records. No accreditation discount mentioned on council website; Selective Licensing Scheme Phase 1 (2022–2027): Total licence fee is £582 per property, paid in two stages: £340.34 application fee paid on submission; £241.66 monitoring & compliance fee payable if licence is granted. A separate cost breakdown document is available from the council. No accreditation discount or early-bird discount mentioned on council website. Fees can vary and may include discounts for early applications. Always check the latest fees on the council website before applying.
Does mandatory HMO licensing apply in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council?: Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
What happens if I rent without a licence in Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council?: Operating a licensable property without the correct licence can lead to enforcement action. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, GOV.UK guidance refers to civil penalties of up to £40,000 for relevant offences, with different treatment for breaches and for offences committed before that date. Earlier cases may still be assessed under previous rules. Tenants or local authorities may be able to apply for a rent repayment order. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. From 1 May 2026, Section 21 notices can no longer be used for existing or new private tenancies in England. Transitional rules may still matter for notices served before that date.

Still unsure? Choose the next step that fits you

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.