Owners of student accommodation have been told that they may well escape punishment under a new law - if they move quickly.
The Housing Act 2004, which came into force on April 6 this year, required the owners of houses in multiple-occupation to apply for a licence for the property.
Landlords were given three months to apply for a licence from their local council or face the risk of a £20,000 fine.
That deadline passed this week but many landlords will escape if they go for a licence in the next two months.
David Elliott, a local government expert with Warwickshire law firm Wright Hassall, said that long student holidays could just spare them.
He said: "This is complicated in that there are so many different factors governing the definition of a property in multiple-occupation.
"But a property does not need a licence while it is empty and as many students have now broken up for the summer, their landlords have time to have everything in place in time for the new academic year.
"An inspection of the property will also be made by the council in order to verify the information contained in the application and to carry out a health and safety rating inspection.
"The approximate cost of obtaining a licence is estimated to be £300-£700 and the licence will normally be granted for the maximum of five years, but the exact fee is set by the council.
"Wright Hassall is currently advising a number of landlords on the routes open to them to deal with this legislation."
Warwick District Council sent out 300 packs - mostly to central Leamington Spa landlords - but have received less than ten per cent back.
Paul Hughes, senior environment health officer with the council, said: "We have historically built up a picture of the local area - we feel that the over-whelming majority of relevant properties would be let out to the student population.
"We would urge anyone who owns such accommodation which they feel may be licensable to get in touch with us immediately."
