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Selective licensing update
From 1st September 2022, all private rented homes in Oxford need a licence. The Selective Licensing scheme covers non-HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) properties. The Council chose to bring in this scheme to improve the quality of private rented homes in the city to help tackle the city's housing crisis and the scheme was approved by government in April 2022.
The Council is offering an early bird fee, available until 30 November 2022, providing all required documentation is submitted with the application and is satisfactory.
You can find out more about the scheme and apply for a licence via https://www.oxford.gov.uk/selectivelicensing.
If you have an HMO licence then you do not need to apply; your HMO licence continues to be in force and will be renewed as normal.
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Landlords' Forum
We are holding two landlord forum sessions on 10th November 2022. You must book via Eventbite to attend a session.
Morning in person session at Oxford Town Hall, 10am to 12pm. Sign up via Eventbrite for the in person session
Afternoon online zoom session, 2pm to 4pm. Sign up at Eventbrite for the online session
There has been a change to the original sessions planned. Due to the rising cost of living, Oxford City Council wish to increase awareness of services available to all residents and landlords. This talk will complement the planned session on the Private Rented Sector Tenancy Sustainment Team. We have also secured a talk from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service on fire safety awareness. Unfortunately, the planned session on the Housing Health and Safety Rating system will not take place, however as “Fire” related hazards are one of the most common hazards identified in rented properties, we believe the session from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service will cover some of the information that was going to be delivered.
Accreditation Scheme
Our Landlord Accreditation Scheme is a voluntary scheme that private residential landlords are encouraged to join. Since the 15th August 2022, the scheme is no longer run by Oxford City Council and instead we have partnered with ATLAS (Accreditation & Training for Landlords and Agents Service) which is run by London Borough of Camden on behalf of London authorities and other local authorities in the South-East.
If you previously joined the OCLAS scheme, and have not attended a training session, you will be invited to attend an online training shortly.
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Legislation update: Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
From the 1st October 2022 the requirement for a Carbon Monoxide alarm was extended to include provision in any room used as living accommodation, which contains fixed combustion appliances such as solid fuel burning appliances, gas boilers or gas fires (this does not include gas cookers).
The regulations also brought in the requirement for faulty smoke or carbon monoxide alarms to be replaced by the landlord.
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Energy Efficiency Improvements |
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Does your property have a low EPC? Are your tenants on a low income?
Grants are available to cover the costs of installing energy efficiency improvements in your property. All energy-saving improvements must be completed by 31st March 2023.
To qualify, your tenants need to be a low income household or receive means tested benefits and the property must have an EPC of E or below. The tenant must meet the income eligibility and the landlord will need to contribute a minimum of one third towards the cost of the upgrades in addition to the grant provided.
If eligible, a comprehensive whole house assessment will be undertaken. A package of works will be provided which could include: insulation upgrades, solar panels, energy efficient lighting or low carbon heating systems.
To find out more visit: www.oxford.gov.uk/sustainablewarmth
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Further energy funding
The rising cost of energy is causing widespread concern as more tenants may become unable to heat their homes. Besides the impact on the health and wellbeing of the tenant, cold homes can cause problems with damp and mould.
If your tenants might be struggling to pay their fuel bills the Better Housing Better Health service who can provide advice and in some cases access financial support. Some tenants may be eligible for a home visit to help understand what the problem is. To find out more about what the service can do watch this video (1 minute). BHBH are well connected to a wide range of local organisations and can make onward referrals to help tenants get the help they need to stay safe and well in their homes.
You may be eligible for funding for installing insulation measures under the ECO4 scheme. In order to qualify, your tenants must be in receipt of means-tested benefits or receive a low income. Properties must be at least an EPC E rating or below and will need to have at least two insulation measures installed to qualify. To learn more, please contact Better Housing Better Health, telephone 0800 107 0044 or visit https://www.bhbh.org.uk/ .
Cost of Living support
If there are other issues besides cost of fuel bills, there is a variety of support available, the following website lists support in Oxfordshire, such as access to food or other advice services.
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Do you have Brookes student tenants?
Oxford Brookes University’s Community Engagement team is keen to work with landlords/letting agents to provide a cohesive approach in communicating behavioural messages to Brookes students living in private rented accommodation.
We work closely with Thames Valley Police, Oxford City Council and Oxford Direct Services to provide information and advice to students on how to be good neighbours, including how to keep noise levels down, how to manage their waste and keep their property safe. Together we run an initiative called the House Champion scheme, which encourages students to be responsible and considerate members of the community.
This year, we have produced a poster which provides advice to students on how to be good neighbours and also includes URL codes to find out further information from the relevant authorities. The poster has been included in the House Champion introductory packs, which have been distributed to student houses in East Oxford.
The University continues to deal with concerns regarding student behaviour, specifically in connection to noise and waste management. We would be grateful if you could help distribute the posters; please email community@brookes.ac.uk for a copy.
If you would like further information or are interested in how we might be able to work more closely together, please contact us at community@brookes.ac.uk
www.brookes.ac.uk/about-brookes/community/community-engagement/
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Does your disabled tenant need adaptations?
 Oxford City Councils Home Improvement Agency (HIA) help older, disabled and vulnerable people live safely and independently in their own homes by providing advice, assistance and grants for Disabled Facility Grants (DFG) and home adaptations.
We have recently created a leaflet specifically for landlords that explains the process and easy steps for a tenant applying for a DFG. The DFG is a means-tested grant available to disabled persons for adaptations to provide better facilities and freedom of movement in and around their home.
It is important to understand that as the landlord you are not required to fund any aspect of adaptations yourself and your key responsibility lies in providing permission for the adaptation to be made.
The good news is that once you have given your consent you can be as hands-off as you wish, the HIA will manage the works for you. Our technical officers will draw up schedules, specify the works, arrange an approved/accredited contractor, arrange payment and liaise with the tenant to get the works done.
Where adaptations are necessary, a DFG offers help with the cost of providing these to the home, making it easier for them to continue living there.
A DFG covers adaptations such as:
- Making it easier to get in and out of the tenant’s property
- Making it easier to get to the tenants bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen
- Making it easier to use the toilet, bath and/or shower
- Making it easier to prepare and cook food
- Helping control lighting, power and heating
- Making it easier to get around the home
- Making it safer to access garden.
If you are a landlord wanting to know more about DFG’s, please see our leaflet www.oxford.gov.uk/dfgleaflet.
In order to help tenants manage their rising energy costs during the cost of living crisis, we also have a limited supply of free water cylinder jackets, please email hia@oxford.gov.uk to check availability.
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www.oxford.gov.uk
01865 249811
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