Selective licensing consultation
Wirral Council would like your views on the areas where Selective Licensing was introduced in 2015. The scheme aims to help improve the private rented housing sector.
Answer the questionnaire for residents of these areas
Answer the questionnaire for agents and landlords with properties in these areas
Background
Wirral has areas of low housing demand and almost 1 in 3 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.
Holders of licenses are required to comply with the conditions of the Selective Licence. In addition, 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.
Wirral currently has 4 selective licensing areas which were designated on 1 July 2015 and will last until 31 June 2020. 4 further Selective Licensing areas are due to commence on 1 April 2019. The documents below provide maps of each of the areas and a list of addresses, which are subject to periodic review and update.
Map areas where the selective licensing designated on 1 July 2015 scheme applies.
Map areas where the selective licensing designated on 1 April 2019 scheme applies.
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 July 2015) - £695
- Selective Licensing Scheme (designated on 1 April 2019) - £645
- Selective Licensing Scheme Fee Structure
Penalties and Sanctions
Prosecution
Failure to apply for a licence when required is an offence punishable on summary conviction to an unlimited fine. Alternative 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.
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.
Selective licence properties and landlords
To search the below list for a property or licence holder, type CTRL+F and type in the text you are looking for.
Selective licence properties and landlords in Wirral, April 2019
Selective Licence documents archive
2015 designation
Following the consultation, all representations were considered and a report was presented to Wirral Council’s Cabinet on 12 March 2015 and full council on 16 March 2015, where it was agreed to designate a selective licensing scheme in 4 areas in Wirral. The consultation on proposals for selective licensing in the 4 areas currently designated closed on Wednesday 18 February 2015.
- A guide to selective licensing
- Cabinet Report
- Appendix 1 – Fee Structure
- Appendix 2 - Business Case
- Business Case - Evidence Base
- Business Case – Maps and Addresses
- Business Case – Licence Conditions
- Business Case – Risk Register
- Business Case – Consultation Report
- Business Case - Consultation Report Appendix
2018/19 designation
Extending Selective Licensing in Wirral
On 1 April 2019 selective licensing is to commence within 4 additional areas of Wirral. The following links to the public notice and the maps advise of the areas affected.
Selective Licensing Public Notice
View each area for a detailed map and list of addresses included in the proposed areas. The 4 additional areas are:
The 4 new areas were identified in a similar way as the original areas, using research by Wirral 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. Following consultation, all representations were considered and a report was presented to Wirral Council’s Cabinet on 1 October 2018, where it was agreed to designate selective licensing into a further 4 areas of the Wirral. The consultation on proposals for the additional 4 areas closed on 21 March 2018. A full breakdown of the evidence, methodology and findings is included in the business case below along with the public and stakeholder consultation findings.