A council has now approved plans for two of the country’s largest licensing schemes – one is so large it needs government approval before it can be implemented.

As we previewed last week, Oxford’s Labour council has agreed to renew an additional licensing scheme for all HMOs in the city, and also a massive selective licensing scheme that – if confirmed by central government – means that all privately rented homes in the city will need to be licensed.

Proposals split property industry opinion when they went to consultation. 

The additional HMO licensing renews the previous scheme which lapsed in January – a result of government advice to pause public consultation during the early stages of the pandemic. 

The new additional HMO licence scheme will run for five years and will commence after a statutory three month notice period on June 10.

The selective licensing scheme must be confirmed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. 

Oxford council says it’s now started work on two submissions to MHCLG relating to the scheme.

A council spokesperson says: “Every tenant deserves a decent home and a clear majority of Oxford’s private renters agree with us that licensing will help drive up standards and crack down on rogue landlords. 

“Renewing additional HMO and licensing all privately rented homes will also protect the majority of responsible landlords and agents who do a good job.”