Selective Licensing aims to improve homes in these areas by ensuring private landlords and agents meet satisfactory standards of tenancy and property management. Wirral Council currently operates two Selective Licensing schemes.
Consultation on proposed new scheme 2024-29
The council's consultation on a proposal to introduce a new Selective Licensing Scheme covering four areas ended on 2 October 2023 . The results of the consultation will be presented to Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee on 6 December 2023 and will be published here in early December: haveyoursay.wirral.gov.uk
Background
Wirral has areas of low housing demand and almost one in three properties in Wirral’s private rented sector fails to meet the minimum acceptable property condition standard. Homes that fail to meet the required standard have a detrimental impact on the health and welfare of those who live in them, which also impacts on local communities.
The Housing Act 2004 gives local authorities powers to designate areas for the Selective Licensing of private rented property. Wirral currently has two Selective Licensing Schemes covering 10 geographical areas.
It is a criminal offence to let a privately rented property in a designated Selective Licensing area without a licence. Failure to apply for a licence or failure to comply with the conditions of the licence could lead to an unlimited fine on conviction or a Civil Penalty Notice of up to £30,000 being issued by the Council. The Council and/or tenants, including former tenants, may also apply for a Rent Repayment Order (RRO) to reclaim up to 12 months’ rent from the landlord where a property is, or was, required to be licensed.
Holders of licenses are required to comply with the conditions of the Selective Licence (PDF).
Since the start of Selective Licensing in Wirral, approximately 3,500 properties have been licensed and of those inspected by Council officers, 50% were found to be substandard in terms of conditions.
Action taken by the Council has driven up standards with the majority of this achieved through informal action. However, a small number of landlords have been prosecuted for either non-compliance with legal notices and/or not having a licence to operate. Earlier this year, one landlord was formally banned from operating as a landlord. This was the first Banning Order secured by a local authority in North West England.
A team of Healthy Homes Advocates are working in each of the Selective Licensing areas, offering residents free advice and services relating to a range of health and housing issues. Find out more what Healthy Homes can do for you.
Current schemes
The documents below provide maps of each of the two current schemes and a list of addresses, which are subject to periodic review and update.
Address lists are provided as guidance, however any private rented properties located within the LSOA boundary at the time of designation or over the lifetime of the scheme would be liable for a licence.
These files may not be suitable to view for people with disabilities, users of assistive technology or mobile phone devices.
How to apply for a Selective Licence
If you are a property owner or a managing agent of privately rented accommodation within one of the designated selective licensing areas, you can complete an online application.
A paper application can be made, however an additional fee of £50 for the administration of the paper applications will apply. If you wish to be sent paper application forms please email selectivelicencing@wirral.gov.uk
It is the responsibility of the property owner, manager or managing agent to ensure the property has a valid licence at all times.
Current licence fees
- Selective Licensing Scheme (designated on 1 April 2019) - £645
- Selective Licensing Scheme (designated on 1 October 2020) - £595
Various discounts may apply to the above fees.
This file below may not be suitable to view for people with disabilities, users of assistive technology or mobile phone devices.
Selective Licence Bulky Waste Collection Service
The Selective Licence Bulky waste collection service is a free scheme which can be accessed by current licence holders of licenced residential properties situated within Wirral Council’s designated selective licence areas.
This service is operated by the council to assist licence holders in disposing of large household items from rented accommodation. A maximum of 12 bin bags (or equivalent) can be arranged to be collected by appointment with the council on a pre-set day. The maximum number of collections per calendar year has been set at 2.
Email the completed form to: selectivelicensing@wirral.gov.uk
Penalties and Sanctions
Prosecution
Failure to apply for a licence when required is an offence punishable on summary conviction to an unlimited fine. Alternatively, a Civil Penalty Notice of up to £30,000 can be issued.
Repayment of rent
Tenants including former tenants living at the property whilst it was unlicensed or the Council may apply to the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) for a Rent Repayment Order (RRO) to reclaim up to 12 months’ rent from the landlord. Apply for an RRO.
Failing to comply with licence conditions
Anyone failing to comply with licence conditions commits an offence punishable on summary conviction to an unlimited fine per offence. A Civil Penalty Notice up to £30,000 is an alternative sanction available to the local authority.
Selective Licence documents archive
On 1st April 2019 selective licensing commenced within the following four areas of Wirral: Birkenhead Central, Birkenhead West, Hamilton Square and Seacombe St Pauls.
The following links to the public notice:
Selective Licensing Public Notice for 2019-24 scheme
On 1st October 2020 selective licensing commenced within the following six areas of Wirral: Birkenhead South, Egerton North, Egremont South, Egremont Promenade South, Seacombe Library and Tranmere Lairds.
The following links to the public notice:
Selective Licensing Public Notice for 2020-25 scheme
More information
For further guidance on the application process email selectivelicensing@wirral.gov.uk.
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 alternatively email selectivelicensing@wirral.gov.uk.
Wirral Council reserves the right to charge for this service in accordance with Section 232(5) of the Housing Act 2004.