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Property Licensing in Oxford
Since 01 September 2022, all private rented homes require a property licence either under the Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing scheme or Selective Licensing scheme.
We have received over 9,000 selective licence applications since 01 September 2022 and have issued over 400 final licences, another circa 950 issued a draft licence (total circa 1,350 processed to the draft stage) and a further circa 2,000 applications with processing underway.
We have around 3,300 licensed HMOs in the city.
Please note, licences do not appear on the public registers until issued.
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ATLAS Virtual Conference and Training Day 23 March 2023
Last year, Oxford City Council partnered with ATLAS (Accreditation and Training for Landlords and Agents Service run by London Landlords Accreditation Scheme) to deliver our Oxford City Landlord Accreditation Scheme (OCLAS).
One of the benefits of this partnership is the ability to offer landlords and agents access to a wider range of training than we can deliver ourselves.
On 23 March 2023, there is a virtual conference for landlords and agents covering:
- The Government’s plans for the future direction of the private rented sector
- Updates on housing law reform, landlord and letting agent legislation, and compliance from industry experts
- Plans for the new Ombudsman and Property Portal to regulate the PRS and help landlords comply with regulatory standards
- New measures developed to protect tenants for example ban on section-21 evictions
- Plans for extending the Decent Homes Standard to the PRS and local authorities’ role in enforcement
- Upcoming energy efficiency requirements for rental properties, the legal perspectives, as well as practical advice on getting properties fully compliant
- HMO Management, law & Practice, Rent Repayment Orders
- How to save on Property Tax
- Property Licensing
For ATLAS accredited landlords, the cost is £30 and for other landlords (including those accredited previously with OCLAS), the cost is £40. Book online here: https://www.londonlandlords.org.uk/conference/
Oxford City Council's Spring Landlord Information Exchange 26 April 2023
Our next landlord information exchange is on 26 April 2023 at 10am to 12.30pm via zoom. This session will cover:
- Welcome by Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing
- The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 and electrical certification – talk by Ian Halton, former Business Relationship Director at NAPIT
- Housing Health and Safety Rating System – talk by Oxford City Council
- Update on Property Licensing – talk by Oxford City Council
This session will be via Zoom only however we plan to make a recording available.
Sign up via Eventbrite. When you sign up, an email acknowledgement is sent which has the zoom invite details so please check your junk mail folder.
Oxford City Council normally arranges two landlord information exchanges each year. We appreciate some people prefer in person events and some people prefer online events. This April’s Landlord Information Exchange will be online only due to the presenter secured and therefore we plan to hold the Autumn event as an in person session.
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Damp and Mould
Damp & Mould is the most common hazard we find in properties under the Housing Act 2004 Housing Health and Safety Rating System, along with Excess Cold.
Damp and Mould not only affects the health and well-being of your tenants, it can cause the condition of your property to deteriorate, potentially impact its value and even lead to compensation claims against you. A proactive approach can help to avoid future financial loss.
When receiving a complaint from a tenant about damp and mould, it is important you acknowledge the complaint in writing and inform your tenants what you plan to do about the problem. We advise you visit the property to see the problem for yourself before making a judgement about the cause.
As a landlord, it is important you eliminate any causes related to the structure of the property before considering lifestyle factors:
- Thermal insulation – good thermal insulation is important to keep the property warm. Check your EPC for advice on where you can improve the thermal insulation. Look for signs of cold bridging – where insulation may be missing or have settled then typically mould associated with condensation will appear in the coldest parts.
- Water ingress - check there are no leaking pipes, missing roof tiles etc and there is no rising dampness.
- Windows and ventilation – check the windows are in good condition (e.g. double glazing seals not blown) and there are no draughts or excess ventilation. Again your EPC can give tips for improvements.
- Heating system – make sure your tenants understand the instructions and the heating system is regularly serviced.
- Treat mould infected areas To kill and remove mould, wipe down walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash which carries a Health and Safety Executive ‘approval number’. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely. After treatment, redecorate using a good quality fungicidal paint to help prevent mould recurring. Note that this paint is not effective if overlaid with ordinary paints or wallpaper.
- Work with the tenants to help them understand how to control excess condensation in the property. Dismissing the problem as condensation caused by tenants will likely lead to the problem getting worse and further repair costs when the tenants move out.
If you identify any repairs or improvements, then inform the tenants about the time frame for repairs.
Visit our preventing damp and mould webpage (www.oxford.gov.uk/damp-mould) for more information and you may be interested in this article by National Residential Landlords Association on damp and mould https://www.nrla.org.uk/news/monthly-bulletin/202103/news/damp-condensation-mould-tds-blog
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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/ .
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Help available for landlords and tenants |
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Cost of Living Support
If there are other issues besides cost of fuel bills, there is a variety of support available for all residents in Oxford via the Help with rising living costs support webpage (Oxfordshire County Council) (https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/council/help-rising-living-costs). This lists lists support in Oxfordshire, such as access to food or other advice services.
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Call Before You Serve
Call B4 You Serve is an early intervention landlord advice service, offering free specialist advice to landlords within the city with the aim to prevent homelessness and keep tenants within their private tenancies.
What can we help with?
•Rent repayment plans
•Help when communication has broken down
•Advice on correct service of notice
•Mediate between landlord and tenant
•Signpost /link tenants with support
Contact Details
Tel: 01865 252559 Email: CB4YS@oxford.gov.uk
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www.oxford.gov.uk
01865 249811
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