FOR the sake of hundreds of tenants across the city, we hope that new measures designed to bring rogue landlords into line actually deliver on what they promise.

Cynics will no doubt question the timing and apparent lack of detail behind the plans to make it mandatory for every landlord of a house in multiple occupation to be licensed by April.

Fines would be imposed if standards were not adhered to.

Many people will be happy to see an increased ability to block existing dwellings being carved up into tiny flats or bedsits.

The state of rented houses is a huge issue and Oxford City Council has at least been trying to prosecute bad landlords under current regulations.

But the timing has a whiff of pre-election promises.

The city council has a voluntary licensing system, but cowboy landlords intent on cutting corners on tenants’ rights did not join it.

Worryingly, city leader Bob Price tells us the new compulsory scheme will start by using names from the current voluntary one, while advertising for other landlords to come forward and sign up.

Hardly compulsory then, is it?

The fear is that the worst offenders will again slip through the net when they are the ones to concentrate on.