Private landlords and agents have made 10,896 applications covering over 12,300 homes during the first year of Oxford City Council’s selective licensing scheme.
Following the introduction of the scheme in September 2022, all private rented homes in Oxford now need a licence.
Of the total applications made so far, 9,057 were submitted during the initial ‘early bird’ period, when lower licence fees were offered as an incentive.
To date, Oxford City Council has issued 5,925 licences — 2,138 of which were given out during the first year of the scheme — and expects to issue licenses for the remaining ‘early bird’ applications in the next six months.
Landlords and agents with unlicensed properties are now at risk of facing financial penalties of up to £30,000.
The council has also been working to find unlicensed properties since March last year, and has investigated 83 cases so far, with 49 licence applications made and 16 exempt.
“Our selective licensing scheme is a crucial step in raising the bar for quality standards in private rented homes — we are committed to ensuring safe, decent homes for private tenants,” said cllr Linda Smith, cabinet member for housing at Oxford City Council.
“The majority of landlords and agents do a good job and have nothing to fear from selective licensing — I’m encouraged that so many made licence applications during the first year of the scheme and I’d like to thank them all.
“If you’re a landlord or agent who hasn’t applied yet, what are you waiting for? We’re now taking enforcement action and you’re running the risk of an unlimited fine if your properties aren’t licensed.”
