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 £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Common questions
Do I need a selective licence in Sefton?
Yes. Sefton operates a selective licensing scheme. Letting a covered property without a licence risks a civil penalty of up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent.
Which areas of Sefton does the scheme cover?
Bootle: Derby, Linacre and Litherland wards. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does Sefton's scheme end?
The designation runs until 29 February 2028, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£695 for an accredited property. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Sefton before budgeting.
One payment.
| Each unit in the same building | £30 |
Sefton — sefton.gov.uk, read 19 Aug 2026
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 £40,000 per offence and a rent repayment order of up to two years' rent. Both maxima apply to conduct on or after 1 May 2026; before that date they were £30,000 and twelve months. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026 and possession now runs through the amended section 8 grounds. 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.