Liverpool City Council is consulting on the future of its selective licensing scheme once the current one comes to an end in 2027.

At a cabinet meeting, councillors approved plans to seek views from residents, landlords and letting agents on whether a future scheme should cover the entire city or be targeted at specific neighbourhoods.

Selective licensing

Selective licensing requires landlords in designated areas to obtain a licence and meet defined standards. Liverpool’s current scheme, introduced in April 2022, covers 16 wards and around 80% of privately rented homes.

The council claims that the scheme has been a success, but non-compliance remains an issue in some areas and there are persistent enforcement challenges.

This consultation is an important next step, giving residents and landlords the chance to shape how we continue that work in the future.”

Councillor Hetty Wood (pictured), Cabinet Member for Housing, told Place North West: “Selective licensing has helped to raise standards and protect tenants in some of our communities. This consultation is an important next step, giving residents and landlords the chance to shape how we continue that work in the future.”

Alongside licensing, the council is also considering measures to bring empty homes back into use. It has agreed a £7.3million package that includes enforcement tools such as compulsory purchase and enforced sale, as well as grants for owners willing to refurbish their run-down properties.

There are currently 10,378 empty homes in the city, and, where possible, the funding is to help return those properties to use as affordable rented housing.