Oxford City Council is urging the public to submit their views on proposals to extend its licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) for another five years before the consultation closes.
The scheme was introduced in 2011 and has led to the licensing of nearly 3,500 properties in the city. Under the scheme, landlords have invested over £3.2 million in HMOs over the past four years to improve standards and provide better housing for residents.
Over the same period the Council has responded to 2,750 requests to deal with cases of poor conditions and management of HMOs. It has also successfully prosecuted 50 landlords and cautioned 39 others for failing to comply with HMO licensing requirements or management standards.
David Edwards, Executive Director for Regeneration and Housing, says: "We estimate that one in five residents lives in an HMO and because of Oxford’s acute housing shortage, this number is likely to continue to increase.
The HMO licensing scheme has helped to improve standards in the private rented sector and we would like to see further improvements to ensure tenants are not left at risk in poor condition houses.
We’re urging tenants, landlords, agents and the general public to take part in the consultation to renew the HMO licensing scheme for another five years."
To take part in the consultation before it ends on 24 August 2015 please visit our Consultation page.
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