Private landlords in Oxford urged to register for new licensing scheme

Oxford City Council is urging local landlords to register interest for the new licensing scheme for private rented homes before September.

Doing so will mean they qualify for an early bird discount, providing they make a full application before November 30 this year.

The new ‘selective licensing’ scheme will mean that all privately rented homes in the city will need a license to prove they are safe, well maintained and well managed.

Currently, only houses with multiple occupancy, which make up 15 per cent of Oxford's private rental market, require a license.

Private landlords will be required to show that they are complying with the law by meeting safety and management standards, being a ‘fit and proper person’ and meeting council waste storage and disposal requirements.

With nearly half (49.3 per cent) of all Oxford’s homes being privately rented, the scheme is responding to a 2020 independent review of housing conditions which found that a fifth (6,200) of Oxford’s 30,500 privately rented houses could have a serious housing hazard.

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The council has said that between 2015 and 2020 they received 3,360 complaints from private renters about 2,990 properties – around one in 10 of all privately rented homes. In that period the council served 2,451 housing and public health notices and performed 4,058 investigations into antisocial behaviour related to private rented housing.

Councillor Linda Smith, cabinet member for housing, said: “If you’re a private landlord or the person receiving the rent for a privately rented house, from 1 September you’ll need a licence to operate. If you register your interest in applying for a licence now, we’ll contact you once the scheme starts and by submitting a complete application you will qualify for our early bird discounted rate.

“Every tenant deserves a decent home and selective licensing will help drive up standards and crack down on rogue landlords. It will also protect the majority of responsible landlords and agents who do a good job.”  

Landlord can register for the scheme on Oxford City Council’s website. A five year license will cost £480, with an early bird discount available until November 30 bringing the price down to £400. There is also a discounted fee of £280 for accredited landlords.

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