CLAMPING down on rogue landlords by raiding unlicensed homes is vital to protecting tenants across Oxford.

That is the message from the city council’s enforcement teams who investigate reports of landlords letting out homes that are unsafe or without the proper paperwork.

All landlords who lease out homes with at least three people who are not part of the the same household must have a house in multiple occupation (HMO) licence.

But enforcement officer Clive Salisbury said there are estimated to be about 2,000 homes across the city where landlords have not applied to make them HMOs when they should have done.

He stressed private renters are very vulnerable to rogue landlords because they are desperate for somewhere to live.

He added: “There’s a housing crisis in Oxford, and a lot of people are looking for houses, but very few are being built. There is increasing pressure on people looking for somewhere to live so they are the most vulnerable in the city.”

Since 2011, the city council has issued more than 3,440 HMO licences, processed more than 7,000 applications for new and existing licences, and carried out 19,746 visits to properties.

The Oxford Mail revealed yesterday the five streets in the city which have the most HMOs, with Cowley Road topping the list, followed by Divinity Road, Juxon Street, Venneit Close and Iffley Road.

Landlords have to apply to the council for a licence and meet strict health and safety standards for features such as fire exits and smoke alarms.

Mr Salisbury said unlicensed homes could be dangerous for tenants and added: “You see some horrors occasionally with holes in the floor. Safety is a big issue.

“We check for working smoke alarms, fire doors and most unlicensed HMOs have inadequate fire safety precautions.”

The Oxford Mail accompanied Mr Salisbury on two raids on suspected unlicensed HMOS yesterday, one in Northway and the other to a home off Iffley Road.

Between 2011 and 2014, the city council prosecuted 38 landlords for breaching HMO regulations, including not having licences to having inadequate fire safety precautions.

Mr Salisbury said policing rogue HMOs was vital for protecting the interests of tenants, be they students, professionals or immigrants.

To report a property you suspect does not have an HMO licence, ring Oxford City Council’s enforcement team on 01865 252274. All information is treated confidentially.