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Liverpool City Council plans to significantly increase its workforce to address the challenges present in the city’s private rental housing sector. This action aligns with the council’s existing Selective Licensing scheme, which mandates that all privately rented properties within certain designated areas must obtain a license. The scheme covers 46,000 rented homes and ensures that these properties comply with essential safety standards, focusing on protecting vulnerable tenants from risks such as fire hazards, electrical dangers, excessive cold, damp conditions, and anti-social behavior.
To strengthen enforcement efforts, the council will immediately hire seven new staff members to expand a team that currently operates based on intelligence-led approaches. This team targets problems including properties being rented out without licenses, especially flats situated above shops, landlords demanding rent payments in cash, and those suspected of involvement in criminal activities. Furthermore, an additional 27 officers are set to be employed in the upcoming financial year. This increase aims to support the enhanced enforcement duties required by the Renters Rights Act 2025, a law coming into effect on May 1, 2026, which places a statutory obligation on the council to enforce housing regulations.
Once fully staffed, the council will have a total of 120 employees dedicated to improving conditions within Liverpool’s private rented sector. Looking ahead, Liverpool City Council plans to consult on a refreshed Landlord Licensing scheme starting in April 2027. Unlike the current scheme, which only covers approximately 80% of privately rented properties, the new proposal may extend licensing citywide to include all rental areas. Funding for this expanded workforce and licensing efforts will be drawn from increased fees associated with the Landlord Licensing and Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing schemes, as well as government grants supporting the implementation of the Renters Rights Act.
Cllr Liam Robinson, Council Leader, emphasized the council’s commitment, stating, “We are committed to working alongside landlords to ensure rental properties in Liverpool are safe and well-managed, and to taking action in cases where they are not. Landlords with properties in designated areas have a legal duty to sign up for the scheme, and we now have 5,000 more properties than anticipated – which shows the size and scale of the sector in Liverpool and why we need to dedicate appropriate resources to the issue.” Meanwhile, Cllr Hetty Wood, Cabinet Member for Housing, highlighted the significance of the upcoming legislation, remarking, “The Renters Rights Act which becomes law later this year is a once in a generation change to the private rented sector and will fundamentally improve security, quality, and fairness for renters. It will make a real difference to tenants, particularly when combined with our Landlord Licensing scheme. We will be using our powers under the legislation to make sure that landlords and letting agents meet their legal obligations. Our plan to renew the Landlord Licensing scheme will also strengthen our ability to take action where needed.”
Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More
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