I broadly agree with Vim Rodrigo’s points (Oxford Mail letters, August 16) about the need to improve standards in all private rented housing, not just houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Unfortunately, one of the first acts of the new government was to cancel plans for licensing of lettings agents and a national landlords register.

Instead, they have ruled out any extension of the regulation of private rented housing – throwing out the recommendations of a major independent review that called for changes. As a result, what Vim suggests would be illegal – and that won’t change soon.

The new government is also watering down plans to let councils restrict the number of HMOs in areas where there is an over-concentration.

But at Oxford City Council, we are still doing our best to tackle the problems caused by the minority of bad landlords.

Our HMO licensing programme is the most far-reaching and toughest in the country. We will continue to use all the powers in legislation to prosecute those landlords who let down their tenants or the wider community, and we have an accreditation scheme to recognise the commitment of the many good landlords in Oxford.

Ed Turner, Deputy Leader, Oxford City Council