16 of 30 wards covered. £309 minimum licence cost. £30,000+ maximum penalty for non-compliance.
Selective licensing is a council-administered programme requiring landlords in designated Liverpool areas to obtain permits before legally renting properties. The scheme launched in April 2022 and covers 16 of the city's 30 wards, representing roughly 45,000 properties and 80% of Liverpool's private rental sector.
Each licence remains valid for five years and participation is mandatory within designated areas. Operating without one is a criminal offence.
The Liverpool City Council website provides a postcode checker tool for verification. Ward boundaries don't follow obvious geographic lines — properties on opposite sides of the same street may have different requirements.
Anfield, Central, County, Everton, Fazakerley, Greenbank, Kensington, Kirkdale, Old Swan, Picton, Princes Park, Riverside, St Michael's, Tuebrook & Stoneycroft, Walton, and Warbreck.
Important: Don't rely on ward maps alone. Boundaries can split streets. Always use the council's postcode checker to verify your specific property.
The standard fee is £680 for 5 years, but multiple discounts can reduce this significantly:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard fee (5 years) | £680 |
| New rental property discount | −£211 |
| EPC rating C or above | −£62 |
| Multiple flats in same block | −£62 |
| NRLA or Propertymark membership | −£36 |
| Best case minimum | £309 (£1.18/week) |
Fees are split into an application fee (upfront) and a grant fee (upon approval). Properties providing permanent homeless accommodation through council housing options pay no fee.
Register on the Liverpool City Council licensing portal.
Fill in the application for each property individually.
Attach all required certificates and declarations.
Submit the first portion of the fee upfront.
Typically takes several weeks — longer during busy periods.
Upon approval, pay the remaining balance to receive your licence.
Licensees must maintain properties to certain standards, provide safety equipment (smoke/CO alarms), respond to tenant complaints within set timeframes, manage anti-social behaviour, furnish written tenancy agreements, and protect deposits in government-approved schemes.
Civil Penalties: Up to £30,000 per offence. First offences typically range £5,000–£15,000.
Rent Repayment Orders: Tenants can recover up to 12 months' rent through First-tier Tribunal. At £750–£850/month, that's £9,000–£10,200 on top of council fines.
Eviction Blocked: Courts reject possession applications without a valid licence.
Criminal Prosecution: Serious cases may result in prosecution affecting future licensing eligibility.
Significant changes are on the horizon. Here's the key timeline:
What this means for licensing: Section 21 abolition removes one eviction pathway. Section 8 (fault-based) becomes the sole option — but non-compliance also blocks this route, effectively eliminating all legal possession recovery options for unlicensed operators.
Use the postcode checker on Liverpool Council's landlord licensing page. Don't rely on ward maps alone — boundaries can split streets.
Standard fee is £680 for five years. Multiple discounts reduce this to a minimum of £309 with all qualifications.
Civil penalties up to £30,000, potential rent recovery orders for tenants (up to 12 months' rent), inability to serve eviction notices, and possible criminal prosecution.
Yes. The requirement transfers to new owners immediately upon purchase. Previous owners' non-compliance doesn't protect you.
Selective licensing applies to designated areas. Properties with 5+ occupants from 2+ households also require mandatory HMO licences. Some properties need both.
Agents can apply on your behalf, but you remain legally responsible for ensuring the licence exists.
Typically weeks, longer during busy periods. Complete documentation speeds the process significantly.
Yes, through a single portal account. Each property requires a separate application and documentation. Multiple flats in the same block qualify for a £62 discount per unit.
Genuine short-term holiday lets don't require selective licensing. Long-term residential use through any platform does.
Yes. The council assesses whether applicants are "fit and proper persons" and whether properties meet standards. Criminal convictions, prior enforcement action, or poor property conditions can lead to refusal.
After May 1, 2026, Section 21 evictions end. Section 8 becomes the only option, but operating without required licensing blocks this too — leaving unlicensed landlords with no legal possession recovery method.
This allows tenants to recover up to 12 months' rent for housing offences, including unlicensed operation. At Liverpool rents of £750–£850 monthly, this could total £9,000–£10,200 on top of council fines.
We handle selective licensing applications and renewals as standard for every managed property — at no extra cost.