Selective licensing

Consultation for Selective Licensing Scheme 2025-2030. Have your say now! 

Consultation ends midnight 9 March 2025

Wirral Council is currently consulting on proposals for a new Selective Licensing scheme to run from 1 October 2025 – 30 September 2030. The proposed areas for the 2025 scheme are: 

  • Birkenhead Central
  • Lower Tranmere
  • Tranmere North
  • Hamilton Square B
  • Tranmere Lairds
  • Egremont South

Selective licensing is a scheme to improve private rented homes within specific designated neighbourhoods by requiring landlords to obtain a licence and comply with certain agreed conditions. The above areas were identified using research from the Council’s Public Health Intelligence Team which identified key areas with the poorest levels of property condition, higher than average levels of private rented stock and low housing demand. 

To have your say about the proposals, please complete one of our surveys using our Have Your Say page Selective Licensing 2025-2030 | Have your say Wirral before midnight on 9 March 2025. 

The private rented sector is an essential part of our housing market and Wirral Council wants to support landlords and tenants to create a strong, healthy and vibrant sector. Some areas of Wirral have low demand and poor-quality housing where almost one in three privately rented homes fails to meet minimum acceptable property conditions. Poor housing standards have a detrimental effect on the health and welfare of those who live in them and on the local community.

The Housing Act 2004 gives councils powers to designate areas for the selective licensing of private rented property, which allows our housing standards officers to inspect rental properties and ensure they meet minimum acceptable standards. Wirral currently has three 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 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% failed to meet minimum standards.

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. One landlord has been formally banned from operating as a landlord. This was the first banning order secured by a council in the North West, England.

A team of Healthy Homes Advocates work in each of the selective licensing areas, to offer 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 three 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.

The PDFs below may not be suitable to view for people with disabilities, users of assistive technology or mobile phone devices.

Access the online selective licence register

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.

Apply online for a licence

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

Various discounts may apply to the below fees:

  • selective licensing scheme (designated on 1 April 2024 and 1 July 2024) - £585
  • selective licensing scheme (designated on 1 October 2020) - £595

Fee structure

The PDFs 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 council.

Previous selective licence public notices

  • On 1 October 2020 selective licensing commenced within the following six areas of Wirral: 
    • Birkenhead South
    • Egerton North
    • Egremont South
    • Egremont Promenade South
    • Seacombe Library
    • Tranmere Lairds

View the selective licensing public notice for 2020-25 scheme

  • On 1 April 2024 selective licensing commenced within the following four areas of Wirral: 
    • Bidston and St James West
    • Birkenhead West
    • Egremont North
    • Seacombe St Paul’s

View the selective licensing public notice for 2024-2029 scheme

Application guidance

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.