Consultation on Selective Licensing
Start date: TBD
End date: TBD
Liverpool City Council is inviting residents, tenants, landlords, letting and managing agents, businesses, community organisations and other stakeholders to share their views on proposals for future selective licensing designations across the city.
The Council's current selective licensing scheme is due to end in March 2027. Under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004, any new designation can only be introduced following consultation and consideration of all representations received. Cabinet approved the commencement of a public consultation in May 2026 to help inform decisions about any future scheme.
No decision has yet been made on whether a new selective licensing scheme will be introduced. This consultation provides an opportunity for everyone likely to be affected by the proposals to review the evidence and tell us what they think before any final decision is considered by Cabinet.
What is selective licensing?
Selective licensing is a scheme that allows local authorities to require privately rented properties in designated areas to be licensed. The scheme aims to improve property management standards, support safe and well-managed housing, identify landlords and property managers, and help tackle issues within the private rented sector.
Liverpool has operated selective licensing schemes since 2015. The current scheme, which began in April 2022, covers approximately 80% of privately rented properties within the city.
What are we consulting on?
The Council is seeking views on three potential options for future selective licensing designations covering the period 2027 to 2032. These options have been developed using evidence gathered about housing conditions, private renting and neighbourhood challenges across Liverpool.
Option 1 - Low Housing Demand
A city-wide designation based on evidence relating to low housing demand and the potential for neighbourhood decline.
Option 2 - Deprivation
A targeted designation focused on areas where evidence demonstrates high levels of deprivation and where licensing could contribute towards improving housing management, neighbourhoods and wider outcomes for residents.
Option 3 - Poor Property Conditions
A targeted designation focused on areas experiencing significant poor housing conditions within the private rented sector, building on the approach used in the current scheme.
The consultation materials include detailed evidence and supporting documents explaining the rationale for each option.
Why are we consulting?
The Housing Act 2004 requires local authorities to take reasonable steps to consult people who may be affected by a designation and to consider all responses before making any decision.
The consultation will help the Council understand the views of:
- Private tenants
- Landlords
- Letting and managing agents
- Residents
- Businesses
- Community and voluntary organisations
- Public sector partners
- Anyone with an interest in housing and neighbourhoods in Liverpool
Feedback received will help shape recommendations that may be presented to Cabinet later in 2026.
Supporting documents
DOCUMENT LIST TBD
How to comment?
You can take part by completing our online survey
Complete the online survey on selective licensing (LINK TBD)
You can also participate by providing written comments and representation through the post. You can send your comments and representation to Opinion Research Services, FREEPOST SS1018, PO Box 530, Swansea, SA1 1ZL
All responses received during the consultation period will be independently reviewed and analysed before any recommendations are made.
Consultation events
details TBD
What happens to my views?
TBD
What happens next?
After the consultation closes all responses will be collated and analysed and the Council will consider the views alongside the supporting evidence. Then a consultation report will be prepared and recommendations will be presented to Cabinet for consideration. Cabinet will decide whether to make any future selective licensing designation. If approved, any new designation would be intended to operate after the current designation ends and following completion of the statutory processes.