Local Authority Leads Way In Compulsory HMO Licensing

Oxford Council is the first local authority in the UK to require all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to be licensed.

On Monday, the local authority introduced additional licensing requirements, which mean that every HMO in the city will now need to obtain a licence.

This is effectively an extension to the mandatory requirement for HMOs that are three storeys or more and which have five or more occupants. At present, over 600 HMO licences have been issued.

It is estimated that the number of properties being licensed will be around 4,000 and landlords have complained about the cost of licensing and property alterations, which they will inevitably have to pass on to tenants.

Oxford Council's housing spokesperson, Joe McManners, commented: “I am delighted that we have finally got the powers to improve every HMO in Oxford. They have long been recognised as being a particular problem in the city, providing the worst homes and in many cases being poorly managed."

Mr McManners continued: “The private rented sector is hugely important to the residents of Oxford, not just in terms of providing much needed accommodation, but also with the impact that it can have on local communities, and licensing every HMO will help drive up standards for everyone.”

If this trend continues across the UK it will be welcomed by letting agents who would anticipate rise in demand for their services from landlords needing help and advice on HMOs.

Rory James MacLaren-Jackson of Letting4Success and Property Agency Training, said: "As legislation affecting the lettings industry increases in complexity and practical implentation, the value of the professional letting agent to landlords will undoubtedly increase in coming years."

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