Landlord licensing in Sefton

Required for any HMO let to 5 or more people forming 2+ households who share facilities. Check the council for the current fee.

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. NOTE: 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.

Scheme runs until: 31 March 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 until 29 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.