Liverpool landlords face a sliding scale for citywide licensing fees

Liverpool’s landlords could face licence fees ranging from £240 to £995 under proposals for a future selective licensing scheme.

The price list runs to an astonishing 12 application categories, with separate reductions for renewals, energy efficiency, blocks of flats and landlord association membership.

Residents, tenants and landlords are now being asked to comment on three possible licensing areas before the existing scheme ends in March 2027.

The largest option would extend selective licensing, known locally as Landlord Licensing, across all 64 Liverpool wards.

Liverpool’s selective license

The council says: “Since the current scheme launched in April 2022, more than 56,000 licence applications have been received and over 48,000 licences granted.

“More than 19,000 inspections have been carried out, uncovering over 3,500 housing hazards and leading to more than 1,100 enforcement notices.

“However, the council’s evidence suggests challenges remain in parts of the city, including poor housing conditions, anti-social behaviour, deprivation and neighbourhood decline.”

It adds that selective licensing would address these issues.

Licensing areas covered

A second licensing proposal would cover 29 wards experiencing some of the highest levels of deprivation.

A third option would include 26 wards with higher concentrations of privately rented homes and evidence of poor property conditions or disrepair.

The consultation also asks for views on licence conditions, charges and a complicated series of discounts.

A full property licence would cost £995, comprising a £240 Part 1 application fee and a £755 Part 2 charge.

Newly eligible properties, early applications and renewals would cost £687.

This consists of the same £240 initial payment and a reduced Part 2 fee of £447.

Cost of the landlord license

According to supporting documents, the price would fall to £597 where a renewal, early application or new property has an Energy Performance Certificate rated C or above.

The same £597 charge would apply where the licence holder has another flat in the same block.

Landlords qualifying for both the EPC and multi-flat reductions would pay £507, including a £267 Part 2 fee.

Membership of an approved landlord association would reduce a new property, early application or renewal licence to £633.

Combining association membership with either the EPC reduction or the multi-flat discount would bring the fee down to £543.

Landlords receiving all three reductions would pay £453.

The lowest charge, £240, would apply where a private landlord directly assists the council by offering permanent accommodation to help it meet its homelessness duties.