Rented homes in Oxford could be subjected to a rigorous new licensing process - over and above the level set by Government - in a bid to combat rogue landlords.

Oxford City Council is drawing up plans for an additional licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). Under the Housing Act 2004 only HMOs with three or more storeys and occupied by five or more unrelated people need to be licensed. But that covers just 15 per cent of Oxford's 5,069 HMOs.

The city council is to go to the Government in the new year to ask for extra powers to extend the scheme to cover all HMOs, including self contained flats.

Council enforcement officers say greater powers are needed because poor practice and standards are rife among HMOs not covered by current legislation.

Under the Act, landlords and agents must meet safety standards - breaches of the standards can lead to licences being revoked, and prosecutions. Patrick Murray, the council's executive member for improving housing, said: "

"Twenty six per cent of houses in Oxford are privately rented and I want to make sure that people are living in a decent quality house.

"Following a survey in 2004, it revealed that 61 per cent of HMOs were below standard in terms of fire precautions and 29 per cent of HMOs were found to have below adequate management. This is something that will change with this new licensing scheme."

The council has started public consultation on the proposals: email hmos@oxford.gov.uk or contact the HMO licensing officer on 01865 252307.