Various residents have contacted us about the new HMO licensing arrangements, specifically in regard to the number of HMOs in each area of the ward.  As I’m sure you know, there is an acute shortage of affordable housing in Oxford, so it’s important that rented accommodation is available in the city, and that it is of good standard.

There is a policy for HMOs in the Local Plan, however when the policy was written, C4 HMOs (6 and under residents) were not considered HMOs and therefore there is currently uncertainty as whether our restrictive policy can be applied to C4 HMOs. The restriction is to limit HMOs to 25% of properties in a road.

There is no definitive list of HMOs and C4 HMOs so the council is unable to say with certainty yet how many HMOs there are in any given street.  A list is being compiled of applications for C4 HMO licences and there is already one for existing licensed HMOs, but there are many more yet to be identified and logged.

The Lib Dem group is keen to ensure that all HMOs (of whatever kind) are inspected and licensed, (and deemed worthy of licensing!) so that we have a definitive list to inform further decision making on planning policies