Property Licensing Check
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Council websiteLandlord licensing in Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
North West
We currently show scheme records, official links, and supporting research for this council.
Licensing scorecard
Enhanced coverageOur current data shows active local licensing signals. Verify the latest boundaries, dates, fees, and exemptions with the council.
Selective licensing
Active selectiveAdditional HMO licensing
Active additionalMandatory HMO licensing
Applies across England- Source confidence
- High
- Boundary confidence
- Low
- Public register
- Access route not confirmed
- Last reviewed
- 27 March 2026
- Next review due
- Not scheduled
- Sources recorded
- 10
Our current data is a research summary, not a legal record. This should be verified with the council before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action. Mandatory HMO licensing may still apply even where no local additional or selective scheme is recorded.
Recommended next step
Verify the position with the official council source
Our current data shows an active local scheme and a clear area match. The fastest reliable next step is to confirm the current fees, dates, boundaries, and exemptions on the official council source before letting, purchasing, refinancing, or taking legal action.
What still adds uncertainty
- At least one scheme uses street or custom-area boundaries, so a postcode match can only be approximate.
- Mandatory HMO licensing can apply based on occupancy and households, which cannot be confirmed from a postcode alone.
Buying, refinancing, or completing conveyancing? A due diligence report pulls the licensing position together with the official routes so the risk is documented before you commit. This is an information service and is not legal advice.
Verify with the council
Our current data is based on publicly available information. Always verify the latest licensing position, scheme boundaries, fees, and exemptions with Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.
Council updates
Get updates for Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
We will email you if Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council introduces, renews, or changes a licensing scheme. Free, occasional updates only. Always verify final requirements on the council website.
Free, occasional licensing updates only. You can unsubscribe at any time.
If you need more than the council page
This page may already answer a lot of the question. Use the paid products only if you want a quicker written summary, a more risk-focused view, or ongoing monitoring.
Licensing Due Diligence Report
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A more tailored, more decision-oriented, and more risk-focused review for higher-stakes property decisions.
Request the reportAlerts and monitoring
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A lighter monitoring tier for selected councils or areas, aimed at landlords and smaller investors who want ongoing updates.
See alerts and monitoringThese are information services, not legal advice. Final reliance should still be checked against council sources.
Check a postcode in Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
Enter a postcode to see whether it appears to fall within a licensing scheme area, then verify the result with the council.
Local licensing scheme records
Additional LicensingActive
Sefton Additional (HMO) Licensing Scheme 2023-2028
Covers parts of Seaforth, Waterloo, Brighton-le-Sands and central Southport. Two designated sub-areas: (1) Waterloo/Seaforth/Brighton-le-Sands area; (2) central Southport area. An estimated 33% of Sefton's private rented sector HMO accommodation is in these areas.
- HMO licence fee
- £950
- Fee guide
- Full fee £950 (£190/year; £3.65/week). Paid in two stages: £250 upfront on application, balance on production of draft licence. Additional charge of £30 per additional unit under the same licence holder within the same building. Renewal fee £900. Fees structured to make scheme self-financing as part of the combined £2.4m gross expenditure over 5 years. Refunds only for applications made in error (wrong area, duplicate, or exempted property). No refunds for refused, withdrawn, revoked or cancelled licences. {'accreditation_discount': '£800 full fee (saving of £150) for accredited properties', 'accredited_managing_agent_discount': '£750 full fee (saving of £200) where licence holder is a Sefton accredited managing agent', 'renewal_accreditation_discount': '£750 for renewals with accreditation', 'renewal_accredited_agent_discount': '£700 for renewals with accredited managing agent', 'note': 'Only one discount can be applied at a time'}
- Discount available
- {'accreditation_discount': '£800 full fee (saving of £150) for accredited properties', 'accredited_managing_agent_discount': '£750 full fee (saving of £200) where licence holder is a Sefton accredited managing agent', 'renewal_accreditation_discount': '£750 for renewals with accreditation', 'renewal_accredited_agent_discount': '£700 for renewals with accredited managing agent', 'note': 'Only one discount can be applied at a time'}
- Designation date
- 18 October 2022
- Scheme period
- 1 March 2023 - 29 February 2028
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years (majority granted for full 5-year scheme duration). Shorter licences of 1-4 years may be issued pro-rata in certain circumstances (poor condition, previous non-compliance, concerns about competence of licence holder).
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
This is a re-designation of the original Additional (HMO) Licensing scheme which ran 1 March 2018 to 28 February 2023. 81% of service requests related to HMOs over 3.5 years of the first scheme were from the designated areas. Applications require: applicant/licence holder/manager/owner details, criminal history disclosure, accreditation details, planning status, safety certificates (gas, electrical, fire safety, EPC), tenancy agreements, proof of ID. Licence holder must be UK-resident. Application process: apply online with £250 deposit; council processes form; Notice of Intention to Grant issued with 14-day representation period; balance fee requested; licence issued; property inspection arranged. Property types covered: Houses in Multiple Occupation rented to at least 3 people who are not part of the same family, including: (a) properties of any storey count with 3-4 occupants comprising 2 or more households sharing basic amenities (kitchen, bathroom, WC); (b) properties converted into self-contained flats under Section 257 of the Housing Act 2004 where more than one-third are rented on a short-term basis. Covers a broader range of HMO types than mandatory licensing. Exception: properties with 5 or more occupants in 2 or more households sharing amenities require Mandatory (HMO) Licensing instead. Exemptions or exclusions: Full exemptions list available in the council's exemptions document. Properties requiring Mandatory HMO Licensing are excluded. Standard statutory exemptions apply.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Selective LicensingActive
Sefton Selective Licensing Scheme 2023-2028 (Bootle)
Covers a large proportion of Bootle across Derby, Linacre, and Litherland wards. A full list of included streets is published in a PDF on the council website.
- Licence fee
- £695
- Fee guide
- Full fee £695 (£139/year; £2.67/week). Paid in two stages: £150 upfront on application, balance on production of draft licence. Additional charge of £30 per additional unit under the same licence holder within the same building. Fees structured to make scheme self-financing (gross expenditure £2.4m over 5 years). Pro-rata fees apply for shorter licences. Fees in line with Hemming v Westminster City Council ruling. {'accreditation_discount': '£545 full fee (saving of £150) for landlords with an accredited property', 'accredited_managing_agent_discount': '£495 full fee (saving of £200) where the licence holder is a Sefton accredited managing agent', 'note': 'Only one discount can be applied at a time; not combinable'}
- Discount available
- {'accreditation_discount': '£545 full fee (saving of £150) for landlords with an accredited property', 'accredited_managing_agent_discount': '£495 full fee (saving of £200) where the licence holder is a Sefton accredited managing agent', 'note': 'Only one discount can be applied at a time; not combinable'}
- Designation date
- 18 October 2022
- Scheme period
- 1 March 2023 - 29 February 2028
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years (majority granted for full 5-year scheme duration). Shorter licences of 1-4 years may be issued pro-rata if property is in poor condition, licence conditions have previously not been met, or there are concerns about the competence of the proposed licence holder or managing agent
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
This is a re-designation of the original scheme which ran 1 March 2018 to 28 February 2023. The first scheme removed over 3,000 serious health and safety hazards from licensed properties. Third-party data (Kamma, July 2025) reports 58% of properties initially failed inspections but 98% achieved compliance after intervention. The council holds a map of the selective licensing area and a list of included streets as downloadable PDFs. Enforcement includes criminal prosecution, civil penalties per property, and rent repayment order action may be possible. Tenants or local authorities may be able to apply for a rent repayment order. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. Non-resident landlords must appoint a UK-resident representative as licence holder. Property types covered: All privately rented properties within the designated Bootle area, including single-family rented houses and flats, converted and purpose-built blocks of flats, and all types of HMOs as defined under Sections 254 and 257 of the Housing Act 2004 (except those meeting the prescribed description for Mandatory HMO Licensing). Exemptions or exclusions: Owner-occupied properties (main residence) properties let to tenants of registered housing providers (housing associations) care homes and similar facilities properties subject to management orders and exemption notices properties requiring Mandatory HMO licensing host families for foreign students studying short periods homes with lodgers student accommodation directly managed by educational institutions.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Additional LicensingExpired
Sefton Additional (HMO) Licensing Scheme 2018-2023 - First Scheme
Covered parts of Seaforth, Waterloo, Brighton-le-Sands and central Southport (same areas as current scheme)
- Fee guide
- Fee details for the 2018-2023 scheme not published; superseded by current scheme fees.
- Scheme period
- 1 March 2018 - 28 February 2023
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
Ran concurrently with the first Selective Licensing scheme. Both schemes were re-designated together following a consultation ending 31 July 2022. Succeeded by the 2023-2028 Additional (HMO) Licensing scheme. Property types covered: Houses in Multiple Occupation rented to at least 3 people who are not part of the same family in designated areas.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Selective LicensingExpired
Sefton Selective Licensing Scheme 2018-2023 (Bootle) - First Scheme
Covered all privately rented accommodation in the Bootle area. Application deadline was 1 September 2018.
- Fee guide
- Fee details for the 2018-2023 scheme are not published online; superseded by current scheme fees.
- Designation date
- 21 September 2017
- Scheme period
- 1 March 2018 - 28 February 2023
- Typical licence term
- 5 years
- Coverage
- See council website for boundaries
Research notes
Original scheme approved by Cabinet on 21 September 2017. Resulted in removal of over 3,000 serious health and safety hazards from licensed properties. Showed improvements in property conditions, crime and ASB. Succeeded by the 2023-2028 re-designation scheme. Property types covered: All privately rented accommodation in Bootle including houses, flats, and HMOs (except mandatory HMO properties). Exemptions or exclusions: Standard exemptions as per Housing Act 2004.
Our current data shows this scheme based on public information. Always verify the latest fees, dates, and boundary wording on the official council page.
Public licensing register
Councils must keep a public register of licensed properties. How easy it is to use varies a lot between councils.
- Public register found
- Yes
- Search method
- Not confirmed
Register appears to cover
HMOAdditional (unconfirmed)Selective (unconfirmed)
Appears to cover HMO licences - always confirm scope on the register itself.
Register notes
The register is not searchable online. To view the register, either attend the council's offices in person (appointment required) or request an electronic copy by emailing landlord.licensing@sefton.gov.uk or calling 0345 140 0845 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm). Covers all housing licences and temporary exemption notices granted under the Housing Act 2004. The housing licensing application portal (housinglicensing.sefton.gov.uk) contains a representations search feature but is not a public property register.
The council register and official source pages should be treated as the source of truth. Our summary is a guide to help you find and use them, not a substitute for the live register. How public registers work.
Research summary
These public research signals help show how recently this page was reviewed and what still needs checking before you rely on it.
Last reviewed
27 March 2026
Research confidence
High (77/100)
Sources checked
10
Research notes
All three active schemes confirmed from official sefton.gov.uk pages with scheme names, start/end dates, covered wards, fee structures, and contact information. The expired 2018-2023 schemes are confirmed from multiple official sources. The public register access method is explicitly documented on the official page. Fee figures cross-referenced between official council pages and Kamma (third-party, noted as July 2025). Minor gaps: selective licensing deposit amount stated as £150 (from official page) but deposit for HMO schemes is £250; exact streets/maps are in PDFs not fetched. Ward names for additional HMO scheme taken from Kamma (third-party) as official pages reference maps/PDFs rather than listing wards by name.
Council contact details
- Phone
- 0345 140 0845
Important to verify
- Exact street/road lists for selective and additional HMO designated areas (held in PDFs on sefton.gov.uk)
- Designation date for the first 2018-2023 Additional HMO scheme
- Register fields visible (not specified; register not publicly searchable online)
- Any recent council change that could affect the current public summary.
Supporting sources
- https://www.sefton.gov.uk/housing/private-sector-housing/landlord-licensing-and-accreditation/selective-licensing-2023-2028/
- https://www.sefton.gov.uk/housing/private-sector-housing/landlord-licensing-and-accreditation/additional-hmo-licensing-2023-2028/
- https://www.sefton.gov.uk/housing/private-sector-housing/landlord-licensing-and-accreditation/mandatory-hmo-licensing/
- https://www.sefton.gov.uk/SelectiveandAdditional(HMO)LicensingSchemes2023-2028
- https://www.sefton.gov.uk/housing/private-sector-housing/selective-licensing-schemes-faqs/
- https://housinglicensing.sefton.gov.uk/
Mandatory HMO licensing
All councils in England must operate mandatory HMO licensing. This applies to properties with 5 or more occupants forming 2 or more separate households, regardless of location. If your property meets these criteria, you must apply for a mandatory HMO licence from Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.
Not sure whether the rules apply? Use the HMO licence checker to check whether a property may need an HMO licence, then verify the current position with Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.
Council-specific HMO detail we currently show
Applies borough-wide across all of Sefton Metropolitan Borough
- HMO fee guide
- £950
- Fee notes
- New application full fee £950; with accreditation £800; with accredited managing agent £750. Renewal full fee £900; with accreditation £750; with accredited managing agent £700. Additional charge of £30 per additional unit under the same licence holder within the same building. Upfront deposit of £250 on application, balance on production of draft licence. Fees effective from 1 April 2023. Refunds only for applications made in error. {'accreditation_discount_new': '£800 (saving £150)', 'accredited_managing_agent_discount_new': '£750 (saving £200)', 'accreditation_discount_renewal': '£750 (saving £150)', 'accredited_managing_agent_discount_renewal': '£700 (saving £200)', 'additional_unit_charge': '£30 per additional unit in same building under same licence holder'}
- Typical licence term
- Up to 5 years (shorter licences of 1-4 years may be issued pro-rata in certain circumstances)
Applies under national legislation across the whole borough. Apply online at housinglicensing.sefton.gov.uk. Unlicensed properties can be reported to landlord.licensing@sefton.gov.uk. Fee structure current from 1 April 2023 per official Sefton website. Property types covered: Properties occupied by 5 or more people comprising 2 or more separate family units (households), where occupants share basic amenities such as bathroom, kitchen, or toilet facilities, or where units lack fully self-contained facilities. Includes shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals, properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities, and properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation.
Other compliance requirements
In addition to licensing, all private landlords in England must comply with these requirements:
- Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) - renewed annually
- EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) - every 5 years
- EPC rating of E or above - required before letting
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms - checked at start of tenancy
- Deposit protection - within 30 days of receiving deposit
- Right to Rent checks - before tenancy starts
Common questions about licensing in Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
- Do I need a landlord licence in Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council?
- Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council currently operates selective licensing and additional HMO licensing. Whether you need a licence depends on the property location, type, and occupancy. Use the postcode checker on this page or contact the council directly to confirm.
- How much does a property licence cost in Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council?
- Based on our current data, licence fees in Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council are approximately: Sefton Additional (HMO) Licensing Scheme 2023-2028: £950; Mandatory HMO Licensing: £950; Sefton Selective Licensing Scheme 2023-2028 (Bootle): £695; Sefton Additional (HMO) Licensing Scheme 2018-2023 - First Scheme: Fee details for the 2018-2023 scheme not published; superseded by current scheme fees; Sefton Selective Licensing Scheme 2018-2023 (Bootle) - First Scheme: Fee details for the 2018-2023 scheme are not published online; superseded by current scheme fees. Fees can vary and may include discounts for early applications. Always check the latest fees on the council website before applying.
- Does mandatory HMO licensing apply in Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council?
- Yes. Mandatory HMO licensing applies across all of England, including Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council. It covers properties with 5 or more occupiers forming 2 or more separate households. You must apply to Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council for a mandatory HMO licence if your property meets these criteria.
- What happens if I rent without a licence in Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council?
- Operating a licensable property without the correct licence can lead to enforcement action. For offences committed on or after 1 May 2026, GOV.UK guidance refers to civil penalties of up to £40,000 for relevant offences, with different treatment for breaches and for offences committed before that date. Earlier cases may still be assessed under previous rules. Tenants or local authorities may be able to apply for a rent repayment order. GOV.UK guidance now refers to up to two years' rent for relevant offences, but eligibility, timing and the final amount depend on the facts and tribunal decision. From 1 May 2026, Section 21 notices can no longer be used for existing or new private tenancies in England. Transitional rules may still matter for notices served before that date.
Still unsure? Choose the next step that fits you
Use these routes to move from the Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council summary into the most relevant next action for your property, role, or research task.
Landlord with a standard let→
Start with a postcode if you want a property-specific route before relying on the council summary alone.
Shared occupancy or possible HMO→
Use the HMO checker if occupier numbers, households, or room-sharing could change the answer.
Check if a property has an HMO licence→
Use this if you need to check whether a property holds an HMO licence, or find the council's public HMO register.
Investor, buyer, or conveyancer→
Use the due diligence guide if this council page is part of a purchase, refinance, or pre-letting review.
Letting agent or portfolio manager→
Preview the monitoring route if you need ongoing watchlists and recurring scheme-change visibility.
Understand selective licensing rules→
Read the guide if you want the broader legal background on how selective licensing works alongside this council page.
Understand additional licensing rules→
Read the guide if you want the broader background on how additional HMO licensing works alongside this council page.
Need the local HMO route→
Use the additional licensing page if the real question is whether a smaller shared house needs a local licence here.
Tenant checking landlord compliance→
Use the tenant guide if you rent a property and want to check whether your landlord holds the right licence.
Important disclaimer
This tool provides general information about landlord licensing schemes in England. Results are based on publicly available data and may not reflect recent changes. This is not legal advice. Always verify licensing requirements directly with your local council before making decisions.