Selective licensing and RRA drive council staffing increase

A Labour-run council is hiring extra staff to tackle selective licensing and the Renters’ Rights Act.

Liverpool City Council has announced plans to expand its enforcement team, with seven new staff joining immediately and a further 27 officers set to be appointed over the coming financial year.

The council says this means there will be 120 staff dedicated to tackling issues in the private rented sector in the city.

The news comes after Westminster council and Mansfield District council have hired extra staff to deal with selective licensing.

Selective licensing scheme to cover the whole city

Liverpool City Council has announced plans to consult on a new selective licensing scheme to run from April 2027 and cover the whole city.

The council says the existing scheme covers around 80% of privately rented properties, as some areas are not included, and it wants to expand the scheme.

Council leader Councillor Liam Robinson said hiring extra staff to deal with selective licensing will help tackle bad landlords.

He said: “We are committed to working alongside landlords to ensure rental properties in Liverpool are safe and well-managed, and to taking action in cases where they are not.

“Landlords with properties in designated areas have a legal duty to sign up for the scheme, and we now have 5,000 more properties than anticipated, which shows the size and scale of the sector in Liverpool and why we need to dedicate appropriate resources to the issue.

“By putting more boots on the ground, we can make a real difference to people who are living in conditions that are simply not good enough and whose landlords are in breach the law.”

Council will gain extra powers

The council confirmed the funding for the extra staff would come from the additional income raised from the Landlord Licensing scheme and other sources, including HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) licensing fees and funding from the government to support the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act.

Liverpool City Council claims the extra staff will concentrate on landlords who make tenants pay rent in cash, those involved in suspected criminal activity, and the council’s duties under the Renters’ Rights Act.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, councils have the power to carry out surprise inspections, including entering premises where tenancy records are kept, and to issue fines running into thousands of pounds.

Cabinet member for Housing Councillor Hetty Wood said: “The Renters’ Rights Act, which becomes law later this year, is a once-in-a-generation change to the private rented sector and will fundamentally improve security, quality and fairness for renters.

“It will make a real difference to tenants, particularly when combined with our Landlord Licensing scheme.

“We will be using our powers under the legislation to make sure that landlords and letting agents meet their legal obligations.

“Our plan to renew the Landlord Licensing scheme will also strengthen our ability to take action where needed.”

As previously reported on Property118, selective licensing does more than good, with government guidance suggesting selective licensing should only be used as a last resort.