Merseyside · Council licensing
Landlord licensing in Sefton
✓ Hand-verified 25 Aug 2026Sefton operates discretionary property licensing. Letting an unlicensed property where a scheme applies risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000 and a rent repayment order — check whether your property is covered below.
Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities.
Sefton sets this fee under section 63(3) of the Housing Act 2004. Its current charge is not yet recorded here.
The council’s own licensing page carries the charge that applies today — confirm it there before you budget.
Not established is not the same as free.
Sefton Council operates a SELECTIVE LICENSING scheme covering large parts of BOOTLE. Originally introduced in March 2018 covering majority of Bootle, re-designated by Council Cabinet on 18 October 2022 following consultation. The current re-designated scheme came into force on 1 March 2023 and runs for 5 years until 29 February 2028. Applies to ALL privately rented properties (single family houses, flats, converted blocks, purpose-built blocks, all HMOs except those requiring mandatory licensing) within the designated Bootle streets. Confirmed via Sefton Council's own published page (sefton.gov.uk/housing/private-sector-housing/landlord-licensing-and-accreditation/selective-licensing-2023-2028) and Cabinet Minute 11367. Council estimated ~3,200 selective licences would be issued by end of scheme. Designation rationale: established link between Bootle private rented properties and deprivation, poor property conditions, anti-social behaviour and crime. Exclusions: owner-occupiers, registered housing providers, student halls of residence (institutional), care homes, properties requiring mandatory HMO licence, lodgers in owner-occupied homes, host families. Application deadline for current scheme was 1 September 2023. Inspections conducted on a risk basis (HMOs prioritised). Fees structured to recover scheme administration and enforcement costs. Since Sept 2025 Sefton has also been consulting on a borough-wide ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION (planning control to require permission for HMO conversions) - this is separate planning control, not licensing. Article 4 already in force in parts of Southport, Bootle, Seaforth, Litherland, Waterloo, Aintree.
Areas: Bootle: Derby, Linacre and Litherland wards
One payment.
| Each unit in the same building | £30 |
Sefton — sefton.gov.uk, read 19 Aug 2026
Scheme runs until: 29 February 2028
Sefton Council operates an ADDITIONAL (HMO) LICENSING scheme covering parts of Seaforth, Waterloo, Brighton-le-Sands and central Southport. The scheme was originally introduced in March 2018 and was re-designated by Council Cabinet on 18 October 2022 following a 3-month consultation that ended 31 July 2022. The current re-designated scheme came into force on 1 March 2023 and runs for 5 years, and the public legal notice states it ceases to have effect on 28 February 2028. Confirmed via Sefton Council's own published page (sefton.gov.uk/housing/private-sector-housing/landlord-licensing-and-accreditation/additional-hmo-licensing-2023-2028) and the Cabinet decision record (modgov.sefton.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=11367). Applies to ALL types of HMO under sections 254 and 257 Housing Act 2004 within the designated areas (so includes smaller HMOs that fall outside mandatory 5+ person scheme). An estimated 33% of Sefton's private rented HMO accommodation is in Waterloo/Seaforth and central Southport. Landlords must demonstrate fit and proper status, satisfactory management arrangements, and meet a range of licence conditions including annual gas safety records. Council estimated by end of scheme it would issue ~240 additional HMO licences (195 already issued by August 2021 under previous scheme). Application deadline for current scheme was 1 September 2023 - rigorous enforcement against unlicensed properties since.
Areas: Parts of Seaforth, Waterloo, Brighton-le-Sands and Southport
One payment.
Sefton, read 25 August 2026
Scheme runs until: 29 February 2028
Common questions
Does Sefton have a selective licensing scheme?
Yes. Sefton operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a property covered by it without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and the loss of the right to serve a section 21 notice.
Does Sefton have an additional HMO licensing scheme?
Yes. Sefton operates an additional HMO licensing scheme. Letting a property covered by it without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and the loss of the right to serve a section 21 notice.
Do I need an HMO licence in Sefton?
A mandatory HMO licence is required anywhere in England and Wales, including Sefton, where a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households who share basic amenities. Smaller shared houses may also need a licence where an additional licensing scheme applies.
- Free landlord compliance check — five questions, no account
- Tenancy agreement checker — findings cited to the Act and section
Selective licensing in Sefton: areas, dates and fees →
Additional HMO licensing in Sefton: areas, dates and fees →
All property licensing in Merseyside →
Source: Sefton licensing page →
Every landlord in Sefton also needs
A valid Gas Safety certificate (annual), an EICR (every 5 years), a valid EPC, a protected deposit, smoke & CO alarms, the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet, and a current How to Rent guide — plus the new Section 8 possession rules since Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026.
Check your Sefton property in 30 seconds
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