Liverpool Selective License FAQ
Let’s be honest—property licensing can feel like a minefield. But it’s one of those things you absolutely must get right. Mess it up, and you could find yourself on the wrong side of some pretty heavy enforcement action. We get loads of calls and emails from landlords investing in Liverpool who are scratching their heads over the city’s Selective Licensing Scheme. So, we’re here to break it all down for you, answering the questions we get asked the most.
What is a Selective License?
A Selective License is a legal requirement for landlords renting out properties in designated areas of Liverpool. Think of it as a mandatory “permission slip” from the council. By applying for this license, landlords essentially seek the council’s authorisation to rent out their properties. The council performs several checks during the application process to ensure that landlords meet their obligations. Once the license is granted, landlords can rent their properties legally and in compliance with local regulations.
When Should I Apply for a Selective License in Liverpool?
You’ve got 14 days from the day your first tenant moves in to apply for a license. Bought a property with tenants already living there? If the property doesn’t have a license—or it’s still in the old owner’s name—make sure you apply as soon as you’ve completed the purchase to avoid any legal issues.
How Do I Apply for a Selective License in Liverpool?
Liverpool City Council manages the licensing process through its Licensing and Regulations (LAR) portal. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to applying:
- Register for an account on the LAR portal if you don’t already have one.
- Sign in using your account credentials.
- Navigate to the ‘Licensing’ tab on the left-hand side of the portal, then select ‘Apply for a License’.
- Follow the on-screen steps and provide all the requested information.
The application process can be time-consuming, often taking several hours, especially if you don’t have all your property details readily available. The portal allows you to save a draft application, enabling you to return and complete it later if needed.
What information do I need to apply for a Selective License in Liverpool?
As part of the Selective License application process, Liverpool City Council will want to know a lot of information about you and your property. I can’t be too exhaustive here but I can give you the gist of what to expect. You will need to provide things like:
- Your personal details
- The Property Manager / Agent’s details
- Your mortgage lender’s details (if you have one)
- Copy of your EPC
- Copy of the electrical installation condition report (EICR)
- Copy of the gas safety certificate
- Details of the number of rooms and available facilities including number of smoke alarms
- Procedural information around tenancy management and inspections
How much does it cost?
The cost varies depending on certain factors such as the EPC rating and whether or not this is the first time you have rented the property out. At time of writing (January 2025) the costs are as below.
- Full property licence fee – £680
- New rental property licence fee – £469
- New rental property licence for EPC rated C or above – £407
- New rental property licence plus multi-flat in same block – £407
- New rental property licence fee with landlord membership discount – £433
- Landlords who assist the Council by offering permanent accommodation to meet its homelessness duties – no fee
- New rental property licence for EPC rated C or above, plus multi-flat – £346
- New property licence for EPC rated C or above with landlord membership discount – £371
- New property licence plus multi-flat with landlord membership discount – £371
- New property licence for EPC rated C or above, plus multi flat and landlord membership discount – £310
Who should be the license holder?
This one comes up a lot, landlords struggle with whether they, or their appointed letting agent should be put forward as the License Holder. According to Liverpool City Council, the License Holder should be the person who collects the rent, sets the tenancies up, is the main contact for tenants and manages the property day-to-day.
In most cases, this will be the Letting Agent although it has been known for Landlords to appoint themselves as the License Holder and just name their letting agent on the application as the ‘Manager’. The benefit of this is that if you do ever decide to change letting agent, you won’t need to apply for a new license because it is already in your name whereas if it is in your agent’s name, and you decide to move away from that agent, you would need a new license, regardless of how many years you have left to run on the current one.
Does Every Property in Liverpool Need a Selective License?
Not quite. Selective Licensing only applies to certain parts of the city. That said, it covers a pretty big chunk of Liverpool. The easiest way to check if your property needs a license is to use the council’s postcode checker.
Can I get away with not applying for a Selective License?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Seriously, no. Don’t even think about it. Yes, the fees might sting a little, but skipping the license can land you in serious legal and financial trouble. We’re talking fines, prosecution, and rent repayment orders. It’s just not worth the risk.