What is the Selective Licensing Scheme?
From 1st April 2022, all privately rented homes in Liverpool must be licensed to do so or be at risk of a financial penalty from Liverpool City Council.
The team at X1 have now released communications to all landlords in our care which confirms the next steps and how to proceed with securing a license for your property.
What local areas in Liverpool are in need of a license?
Local councils are able to bring the scheme into force at their own discretion and Liverpool Council has recently confirmed local areas in need of a license including; Central, Riverside, Greenbank, Kensington, Picton, Tuebrook & Stoneycroft, County, Anfield, St Michale’s, Princes Park, Kirkdale, Old Swan, Warbreck, Wavertree, Fazakerley and Everton.
What happens if a landlord doesn’t hold a license?
If a landlord fails to fulfill their duty/ hold a license, Liverpool City Council has powers under Housing Act 2004 and their enforcement policy allows them to take action which includes:
- Â Serve legal notices
- Â Issue civil penalties
- Prosecute landlords
What does it mean to you as a landlord?
If you have a property in Liverpool and have not yet applied for a Selective License with Liverpool City Council, we urge you to begin the application for your license as soon as practically possible – under the previous scheme, the council issued more than 2,500 legal notices, 169 formal cautions and 197 written warnings which resulted in more than 300 landlord offense prosecutions and 87 civil penalties.
Please do feel free to get in touch with a member of the X1 team if you are a landlord and would like to discuss the Selective Licensing Scheme in Liverpool – a member of our team will be happy to help.