A statement from Oxford’s Labour controlled council says private landlords in the city have under a month to apply for a licence before a huge rise in the application fee.

The council’s selective licensing scheme came into force in September 2022 and means all private rented homes in Oxford need a licence.

The council claims to have received nearly 10,500 licence applications and says landlords and agents face a substantial increase in the application fee if they don’t apply by September 1 – a standard fee of £480 for a five-year licence applies during the first year of the scheme but a higher rate of £1,100 will apply from September 1 unless a home is newly rented within 12 weeks of the date of application, in which case the fee will be £530.

The current rate is the result of consultation with landlords and agents before the start of the scheme. They told the council responsible landlords and agents making an early application should not have to bear the costs of enforcement against those who applied late or did not apply at all.

So far, the council has issued 1,466 licences and 2,661 draft licences.

A statement from the council says: “Unlicensed landlords and agents are now at risk of enforcement action. The council can issue financial penalties of up to £30,000 and the courts have the power to impose unlimited fines for unlicensed homes.”

And it lays the threat on thicker with this statement: “Tenants living in an unlicensed home can apply to a First Tier Tribunal for a rent repayment order. This allows them to claim back up to a year’s rent from their landlord for any period the home they live in is unlicensed.”

The council then explains that licences are not published on the register until they are issued and it does not include pending applications, leaving even new applicant landlords open to action. 

The council additionally gives an email address for tenants to use to get further advice. 

“If you’re a private landlord or agent who hasn’t applied for a licence yet then you need to get a move on. Application fees increase from £480 to £1,100 on 1 September and you’re already at risk of enforcement action if your properties are unlicensed” says Councillor Linda Smith, the authority’s housing spokesperson.

“We’ve already had nearly 10,500 licence applications and that’s great news for tenants and the majority of responsible landlords and agents. Everyone should have a decent home and tenants deserve the confidence of knowing that theirs is safe, in good condition and well managed.”