All private rented homes in Oxford will need a licence from this September, following Government approval of an ‘selective licensing’ scheme by Oxford City Council.
Nearly half (49.3%) of all Oxford’s homes are now privately rented and the ONS reports a median private rent of £1,450 a month for a three-bedroom home. The equivalent amount for England as a whole is £800
An independent review of housing conditions in 2020 found that a fifth (6,200) of the 30,500 homes in Oxford’s private rented sector could have a serious housing hazard.
Currently, only houses in multiple occupation – shared houses – require a licence to operate, though these make up less than 15% of private rented homes in Oxford.
Approval of selective licensing means that all private rented homes will need a licence to help ensure they are safe, well maintained and well managed.
Licensing requires private landlords to show that they comply with the law by meeting safety and management standards, being a ‘fit and proper person’ and meeting council waste storage and disposal requirements.
The selective licensing scheme will run for five years and starts on 01 September.
A five year licence will cost £480, with an early bird discounted rate of £400 for landlords who apply within the first three months. There will also be a discounted fee of £280 for accredited landlords.
Visit the selective licensing page on the City Council’s website for more information.
