Selective licensing in Sefton
Yes. Sefton operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a covered property 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.
What the designation says
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.
What this means for a landlord
A licence must be in place before the property is let, not applied for afterwards. Operating unlicensed in a designated area is a criminal offence: a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per offence, a rent repayment order of up to twelve months' rent, and a section 21 notice that cannot be served while the property is unlicensed. Mandatory HMO licensing applies separately and everywhere, wherever a property is let to five or more people forming two or more households.
Information tool, not legal advice. Confirm the position with Sefton before letting.