Liverpool pursues city-wide compulsory licensing scheme for private landlords

The Cabinet at Liverpool City Council has approved plans to consult on the introduction of a city-wide compulsory licensing scheme for all private rented properties.

The move – approved last month – was announced shortly before the London Borough of Newham became, on 1 January 2013, the first council in the country to introduce a borough-wide scheme.

Liverpool said the scheme could be introduced this year in the city, which has more than 50,000 rented properties. If implemented, it would require all property owners who rent out their properties to apply for a licence and agree to comply with a minimum set of standards. A breach of conditions could lead to a fine or revocation of the licence.

Liverpool’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Ann O’Byrne, said: “It’s vital that we do all we can to work with landlords across Liverpool to drive up the quality of our private rented properties. Many areas which suffer blight in the city are characterised by large numbers of poorly managed private rented properties, leading to problems such as anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping.

“The proposed licensing scheme would recognise the majority of good landlords who manage their properties properly, while enabling us to deal with the minority who choose not to engage with us, and whose letting and management practices are poor.”

She added: “Licensing would create a minimum standard for the private rented sector, with landlords needing to show that they have adequate systems in place for their tenants – for example, to report repairs and defects. It would also enable tenants to be confident in their choice to rent, and neighbours to be confident in landlords’ ability to effectively manage their properties.”

Liverpool already has a compulsory licensing scheme for its 1,250 houses in multiple occupation.

Its consultation on this latest licensing initiative begins this month and lasts for 12 weeks. A report will then be presented to the Cabinet in May.

Liverpool claimed that city landlords had invested more than £1.8m in improving their property during 2012 as a result of its direct interventions.

“In the same period, legal action was taken against eight landlords whose property did not meet legal requirements, resulting in fines and court cost totalling more than £31,000,” it said.