Following the ‘thumbs up’ from the government to Oxford council’s application to extend its PRS licensing scheme now means all private rented homes must be licensed from this September.

According to stats around 49 per cent of homes are privately rented in Oxford.

An independent survey in 2020 found that out of 30,500 privately rented homes in Oxford one in five could have dangerous housing issues.

Prior to the government’s go-ahead for the extension of the selective licensing scheme, only 15 per cent of PRS homes (HMOs only) came under the regulations.

Following the announcement it now means that all landlords operating within the council’s boundaries must apply for licences, their properties must meet the legally required safety and management standards and the landlord is a ‘fit and proper person’.

The scheme is for five years and starts September 1st and the cost for a five year licence will be £480, and for those landlords who sign up within the first three months will be eligible for the ‘early bird’ discount of £400.