Selective licensing in Wirral
Yes. Wirral 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 Wirral?
Yes. Wirral 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 Wirral does the scheme cover?
Multiple areas including Birkenhead South, Egerton North, Egremont South, Egremont Promenade South, Seacombe Library, Tranmere Lairds (2020-25 scheme), Bidston and St James West, Birkenhead West, Egremont North, Seacombe St Paul's (2024-29 scheme), and areas covered by 2025-2030 scheme. Confirm a specific address against the council's own designation map before applying.
When does Wirral's scheme end?
The designation runs until 31 March 2029, unless the council revokes it earlier under section 84 of the Housing Act 2004.
What does the licence cost?
£605. Councils commonly discount for accredited landlords and early applications; confirm the current figure with Wirral before budgeting.
One payment.
- Discounts (Scheme 5): £100 accredited, £100 within 3 months of commencement or purchase, £25 multi-property, £150 EPC C+, 50 per cent in the last six months of a designation; instalments, paper or assisted application £100 each
Wirral, read 31 August 2026
What the designation says
Wirral Council operates two active Selective Licensing Schemes covering 10+ designated areas across Birkenhead and Wallasey. The 2020-25 SCHEME (1 October 2020 to 30 September 2025) has now ENDED and been replaced. The 2024-29 SCHEME runs from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2029, covering parts of Birkenhead and Wallasey including renewals of the Bidstone & St James West and Birkenhead West areas plus new areas in Egremont North and Seacombe St Paul's. The 2025-30 SCHEME was approved by Wirral Council's Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee on 17 June 2025 (designation made 24 June 2025) and came into force on 1 October 2025, running until 30 September 2030. Licences for the 2025 scheme were available to purchase from 16 September 2025. The 2025-30 scheme designates SIX new areas, namely parts of Birkenhead and Wallasey at Lower Super Output Area level: Area 1 Birkenhead Central (LSOA E01007128) covering streets including Beckwith Street East, Borough Road, Brookland Road, Cardigan Avenue, Carlisle Mews, Circular Road and many others; plus five further LSOA-defined areas across Birkenhead and Wallasey. A selective licence is required for any privately rented property situated within the designated LSOAs at any time during the designation period — including smaller HMOs (3-4 occupants) that fall outside mandatory licensing. The selective licence fee for the 2025-30 scheme was approved at £605 per property by the June 2025 committee decision. A £50 accreditation discount is available for landlords accredited with Wirral Council Property Accreditation, NRLA, the Guild of Residential Landlords, ARLA Fellow or other approved schemes. Paper applications attract an additional £100 administration fee. Operating an unlicensed selective property exposes the landlord to prosecution under section 95(1) of the Housing Act 2004 with an unlimited fine, or to a civil penalty of up to £40,000 under section 249A, plus Rent Repayment Orders of up to two years' rent for offences on or after 1 May 2026 (12 months before that date) under sections 96-97. The £40,000 ceiling applies to offences committed on or after 1 May 2026; the £30,000 ceiling still applies to offences committed before that date.
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 Wirral before letting.