Liverpool residents invited to have their say on the future of the private rented sector

Liverpool residents are being encouraged to participate in shaping the future of a program aimed at raising standards within the city’s private rented housing sector. This initiative, known locally as Landlord Licensing, is part of the broader Selective Licensing scheme which mandates landlords in certain areas to obtain licences and adhere to specific requirements concerning property management, maintenance, and tenant safety. With the current scheme set to expire in March 2027, the Liverpool City Council is now seeking public input to help determine the direction of any subsequent licensing arrangements.

The consultation process, which is being independently conducted by Opinion Research Services (ORS), will run for ten weeks and concludes on 5 October 2026. Since the scheme’s introduction in April 2022, over 56,000 licence applications have been submitted, resulting in more than 48,000 licences issued. Additionally, around 19,000 property inspections have been carried out, revealing upwards of 3,500 hazards. These inspections have led to the issuance of over 1,100 enforcement notices to address various compliance issues.

Despite these efforts, the Council acknowledges that challenges persist in certain parts of Liverpool. Problems such as substandard housing conditions, anti-social behaviour, deprivation, and overall neighbourhood decline continue to affect the city. To address these issues, residents are being asked to consider three proposed options for a future licensing scheme: a citywide approach covering all 64 wards, a targeted scheme concentrating on 29 wards experiencing the highest levels of deprivation, and a scheme focusing on 26 wards characterized by a high proportion of private rented housing with notable poor property conditions.

Input is also being sought on the proposed licence conditions, associated fees, and possible discounts. Members of the public, including tenants, landlords, and other interested parties, can participate by filling out an online questionnaire, attending consultation events, requesting information packages, or submitting written feedback. The consultation will close on Monday, 5 October 2026. Further details and the questionnaire can be found on the Liverpool City Council website

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