Letting a property in West Oxfordshire: a landlord’s guide

General information as at October 2026, not legal advice. Always check the council’s current scheme before letting.

Landlord licensing in West Oxfordshire

• Selective licensing: No selective licensing scheme.
• Additional HMO licensing: No additional HMO licensing scheme; only national mandatory HMO licensing applies (five or more people from two or more households sharing facilities).
• Fees: £242 application fee for an HMO licence, plus an issue fee if granted (council page)

Separately, every large HMO (5 or more people forming 2 or more households) needs a mandatory HMO licence anywhere in England. Source: West Oxfordshire District Council.

West Oxfordshire District Council: private renting and licensing

Safety certificates

• Gas Safety (CP12): every 12 months, by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• EICR: at least every 5 years, by a qualified electrician.
• EPC: rated E or above, valid for 10 years.
• Alarms: a smoke alarm on every storey, and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance (not gas cookers).

Book a Gas Safety certificate, EICR or EPC in West Oxfordshire at a fixed price, and keep track of expiry dates in the free landlord dashboard.

Deposits and the inventory

Protect the deposit in the DPS, TDS or mydeposits within 30 days. At the end, the scheme decides any dispute on the evidence, above all the check-in compared with the check-out, so the inventory is what protects you.

What to record in West Oxfordshire homes

• Cotswold stone cottages: photograph damp at the base of walls, lime plaster, timber windows and any stone roof slates.
• Listed homes in Burford, Woodstock and Chipping Norton: record original features, fireplaces and fixtures carefully, as repairs need consent.
• Rural homes off the gas network: note the oil tank level, wood burner condition and any septic tank or private drainage.
• Riverside homes in the Windrush and Evenlode valleys: check for flood damage, airbricks and watermarks.
• Modern estates in Witney and Carterton: check sealant, flooring and snagging marks, and who maintains shared green space.
• Gardens with dry stone walls: photograph walls, hedges and gates, as they are costly to repair.

Start your inventory free

Homes sold in West Oxfordshire in the last 12 months

Type	Sales	Average price
Detached	349	£687,948
Semi-detached	307	£421,136
Terraced	268	£353,370
Flat or maisonette	136	£226,135
Other	56	£1,385,118

HM Land Registry Price Paid Data since 27 October 2025, updated monthly. Look up any address in the free property report.