Sir – I am writing about the proposed HMO licensing regulation changes on April 1. It is proposed to license around 4000 HMOs annually from November this year. This will require about 16 inspections each day, so will need a few inspectors to carry out the work.

The inspection cost is expected to be based on the current HMO licence of £1,200 for five years and is likely to be in the order of £250pa and possibly as much as £300. This cost is ridiculous.

An energy performance certificate (EPC), which is comparable to time spent and detail collected from a property, from a private company is upwards of £55 and less than £100. (My three-bed terrace was £55 last year). The whole HMO licensing should be privatised as were EPC inspections.

This is a good example of where the private sector could do the work more efficiently and at less cost.

I very much hope that readers will go to the Oxford City Council website consultation and survey and make a comment against the cost before the end of the consultation period on June 21.

I am only writing as I am getting increasingly annoyed by meddling by the state, and more particularly when it is also inefficient and could be done more efficiently by the private sector.

However, no doubt the city sees it as a bit of a money-spinner — 4,000 inspections could be £1.2m income per year.

I have no great issue with the principle of licensing to improve standards across the sector and it is regrettable that the provision of a few low-quality dwellings has brought this on.

Colin Stone, Oxford