LANDLORD'S NEWSLETTER MARCH 2024

Oxford City Council sent this bulletin at 20-03-2024 10:59 AM GMT

March 2024

Landlord Forum April 2024

Our next landlord forum is on 25th April 2024 at 10am to 12.30pm via zoom. This session will cover:

Fire & Home Safety: information on fire alarms systems, CO alarms and common issues - talk by Ben Malton from AICO
Unauthorised subletting by tenants and landlords rights- talk by Peter Littlewood, ATLAS Accreditation Scheme trainer
Update on HHSRS information available and 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 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oxford-city-council-landlord-agent-forum-25th-april-2024-online-session-tickets-866539602277 When you sign up, an email acknowledgement is sent which has the zoom invite details so please check your junk mail folder.

Places are limited to 90 attendees. If you are from a letting agency or organization, we kindly ask that only one person attends to maximize spaces for landlords.

Property Licensing Fees

Property licensing fees will increase from 01 April 2024 as in previous years. Fees are set annually as part of the Council’s approved fees and charges policy.

The fee increase applies to applications made on or after 01 April 2024. Applications already made fall under the fee policy at the time the application was made.

From 01 April 2024, block licenses will no longer be available under the selective licensing scheme apart from blocks let exclusively to students covered by an Approved Code of Practice. From 01 April 2024, each flat must be licensed individually.

See our website for more details.

https://www.oxford.gov.uk/houses-multiple-occupation-hmos/licence-fees-charges-hmo

https://www.oxford.gov.uk/selective-licensing/selective-licensing-fees-charges

Feedback from Landlords and Property Professionals on HHSRS Guidance

Please complete the short survey to provide us with feedback on your understanding of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and what additional guidance you think is needed. The feedback you provide will help us develop additional guidance and tools to help you. We will be accepting responses to this survey until the 5th April. 2024 Click here to provide feedback.

Energy Efficiency Grant Funding

Don't forget there is still grant funding available to improve the energy efficiency of your properties! With new regulations on the horizon, now is the time to take advantage of the grants available.

If your property has an EPC of D-G and is in council tax band A-D then you could get free loft or cavity wall insulation on the Great British Insulation Scheme.

If the property has an EPC of D-G and your tenants receive benefits or are on a low income then you could all benefit from energy efficiency measures via the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme or the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2). The HUG funding is limited to properties not heated by gas.

If you have properties with good EPC ratings, you could get up to £8,500 towards an air source heat pump via the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

For more information on all of these schemes and how to apply visit www.oxford.gov.uk/retrofit

Private Sector Lease Offer

Our annual estimate of the number of people experiencing homelessness has been going up for the last five years. Overarching national issues like welfare reform, cost of living and austerity-driven cuts to mental health and social care support services drive the shocking rise in street homelessness. In Oxfordshire, these cuts include more than £2 million a year in countywide housing support. With a surge in homelessness there is a shortage of temporary housing supply resulting in individuals and families staying in Hotels and B&B accommodation longer.

The launch of a Private Sector Leasing Scheme offer to ensure supply of good quality accommodation from landlords and / or agents to offer clients with a Housing duty more stable temporary accommodation. Oxford City Council are seeking a number of units in order to support individuals and families.

Self contained Studios and One Bedrooms for Individuals

Two, Three and Four Bedroom Properties for families

Landlords looking to lease accommodation with Oxford City Council should contact Lyndi Feather Private Sector Leasing Project Lead lfeather@oxford.gov.uk

Contact Details

Single occupancy/family property (Non HMO)

E: psst@oxford.gov.uk

T: 01865 252658

HMO Enquiries

E:hmos@oxford.gov.uk

T: 01865 252211

Selective Licence Applications E: propertylicensing@oxford.gov.uk

T: 01865 252285

HMO Licence Applications E: hmoapplication@oxford.gov.uk

T: 01865 252307

www.oxford.gov.uk

01865 249811

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