Oxford's landlord licensing 'a complete failure'

The National Landlords Association said the licensing policy was driving people out of Oxford

A scheme to crack down on rogue landlords in Oxford has been branded a "complete failure" as half the city's shared houses have not been registered.

Oxford City Council began licensing houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in 2011 to raise the quality of housing.

The National Landlords Association (NLA) said the scheme was not properly enforced and it was driving up rents, forcing people out of the city.

The council said there was no evidence that HMO licensing increased rent.

It said the scheme had resulted in £3.5m being invested in housing stock.

NLA policy offer Gavin Dick said: "I think it's a complete failure by the council, both on the good landlords and for the tenants that are having to live in substandard housing.

"We want the criminals prosecuted and we want tenants living in good accommodation.

"It's having a massive impact on housing costs in Oxford, its driving rents up and driving people out. It's not thought through, it's not financed property and people are still living in poor conditions."

The authority estimates about 21,000 people are living in 7,000 HMOs in Oxford.

£5,000 fine

Council leader Bob Price said: "We have a team of inspectors but we do have to take into account that we don't have a complete register. We rely on the public to tell us that next door to them has been taken over by a landlord and has become an HMO.

"What we do, also, is take particular streets and look through the register of electors, we look at the council tax register and that also gives us indications of problems we can look at."

Mr Price said a consultation showed the scheme had a "positive impact on the conditions and standards of management of HMOs".

He said: "The city's well-known housing crisis means that landlords have no problems finding tenants, even for properties in poor condition.

"More needs to be done to ensure conditions of properties continue to improve and, from January 2016, we will be extending the scheme for another five years.

"There is no evidence to suggest that HMO licensing increases rent - rather it is demand outstripping supply that has pushed up rents in Oxford.

"Rents charged by private landlords increased by 8.2% in 2014 across England while between 2011 and 2014 rental values in Oxford increased by 11%."

Landlords who refuse to comply with the rules face a fine of up to £5,000.

The council said it had so far gained about 50 successful prosecutions.

What is an HMO?

• At least three tenants live there, forming more than one household

• Tenants share a toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities with other tenants

Source: Gov.uk