Selective Licensing consultation

Monday 11 December 2017 to Wednesday 21 March 2018

The Selective Licensing consultation is now closed. The outcome of the consultation, will be reported to Cabinet at the end of June 2018.

Extending Selective Licensing in Wirral

The four proposed areas are:

Please click on each area for a detailed map and list of addresses included in the proposed areas.

Background

Wirral has areas of low housing demand and almost one in three properties in Wirral’s private rented sector fails to meet the decent homes standard, which can have a huge impact on the health and welfare of tenants and wider communities. Selective Licensing aims to improve homes in these areas by ensuring private landlords and agents meet satisfactory standards of tenancy and property management.

The four new areas were identified in a similar way as the original areas (please click here for more information on the existing scheme), using research by the Council’s Intelligence Team which identified key areas suffering from low housing demand and poor property condition, as well as higher than average rates of private rented homes. A full breakdown of the evidence, methodology and findings is included in the Business Case below.

Find Out More

Residents

Drop-In events have been arranged for residents to find out more about the scheme and how the proposals may affect them:

  • Tuesday 16th January 2018, 4pm to 7pm at Charing Cross Methodist Church, Claughton Rd, Birkenhead
  • Wednesday 17th January 2018, 4pm to 7pm at Birkenhead Town Hall, Hamilton Square, Birkenhead
  • Monday 22nd January 2018, 3pm to 6pm at Seacombe Children’s Centre, St Paul’s Road, Seacombe
  • Thursday 25th January 2018, 4pm to 7pm at Birkenhead YMCA, Whetstone Lane, Birkenhead
  • Friday 26th January 2018, 4pm to 7pm at Wallasey Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wallasey

Landlords

Workshops have been arranged for landlords to discuss the details of the scheme and how the proposals may affect them:

  • Thursday 1 February 2018, 10am - 12pm or 5pm - 7pm

If you are a landlord or agent, and would like to attend one of the workshops, please email [email protected] to book a place, stating the date and time you would like to attend.

Once the booking is confirmed, all details, including the venue will be provided.

Making Changes to Licence Conditions

Licence conditions for the current scheme were previously consulted on and agreed in 2015.  Since then, there has been some new legislation introduced by Government on things like the use of carbon monoxide alarms and Right to Rent checks.  It is therefore proposed that the licence conditions are updated with some additional clauses.  Please see the document below which shows all proposed additions and amendments to the licence conditions.

If you have any general questions about the proposals, please email [email protected]

Background on the existing Selective Licensing scheme

Wirral Council’s selective licensing scheme aims to radically improve the living standards in the four areas that are currently designated. The scheme came into effect in these four areas on 1st July 2015 and it will last for 5 years.

The scheme requires landlords who privately rent out properties in the four areas to obtain a licence from the council. They need to show basic safety checks have been carried out and that they have appropriate management arrangements in place.

It is a criminal offence to let a privately rented property in a designated area without a licence and failure to apply for one could lead to an unlimited fine. Failure to comply with any of the conditions of the licence could lead to a fine of up to £5,000.

Where will the selective licensing scheme apply?

The document below provides a a map and addresses of areas where the scheme currently applies.

Apply for a licence in the existing designated areas

A two-part application process applies in the four areas currently designated (Birkenhead South, Egerton North, Seacombe Library, Egremont Promenade South)

Part 1

Each proposed licence holder will need to complete a part 1 application form and list all the properties they propose to licence.

You can complete an online application or download a paper application form.

Apply for a selective licence part 1

Payment and proof of ID are required for this application to be valid. Payment by debit or credit card will be required for online application. Please make cheques payable to “Wirral Council".

Part 2

A part 2 application form will also need to be completed for each property.

You can complete an online application or download a paper application form.

Apply for a selective licence part 2

Property-specific documentation will be required to support this part of the application process together with the remainder of the licence fee (or a request for an invoice to be issued and a payment plan set up).

Please refer to the guidance notes attached to each form.

Further background information

The consultation on proposals for selective licensing in the four areas currently designated closed on Wednesday 18 February 2015.

Following the consultation, all representations were considered and a report was written and presented to Wirral Council’s Cabinet on 12th March 2015 and full Council on 16th March 2015, where it was agreed to designate a selective licensing scheme in four areas in Wirral.

Further background information

More information

For further guidance on the application process email [email protected]. 

You can also write to:

Selective Licensing
Wallasey Town Hall
Brighton Street
Wirral
CH44 8ED

Members of the public can view the public register that gives the details of landlords who have a licence for their property. To make an appointment to view this register please write to the Selective Licensing Team at the above address or alternately email [email protected]. Please note the Council reserves the right to charge for this service in accordance with Section 232(5) of the Housing Act 2004.

Selective licence properties and landlords

To search the above list for a property or licence holder, type CTRL+F and type in the text you are looking for.

Healthy Homes

Wirral's Healthy Homes team is visiting all properties in selective licensing areas. They offer free advice and services relating to a range of health and housing issues.

Find out more about Healthy Homes