If you own a privately rented property anywhere in West Derby, Old Swan, Norris Green, Stockbridge Village or the L6 corridor, a major regulatory change is heading your way. Liverpool City Council is currently consulting on the future of selective licensing across the city, and the outcome will directly affect how you operate, what you pay, and whether you remain compliant.
The current scheme expires in March 2027. A decision is expected in late 2026 or early 2027. The window to prepare is shorter than it looks.
What is selective licensing, and why does it matter to you?
Selective licensing requires landlords in designated areas to obtain a licence from their local council before renting out a property. It is not optional. Operating without one can result in a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per property, a figure that should focus the mind of any landlord, whether you own one property or a substantial portfolio.
The scheme is designed to raise standards in the private rented sector, improve property conditions, and hold landlords accountable. In practice, it means regular inspections, management conditions attached to your licence, and a formal obligation to ensure your tenants live in a safe, well-maintained home.
Liverpool has operated selective licensing schemes for a number of years, and the current arrangement has covered significant parts of the city. What is changing is the scale, the cost, and potentially the reach.
The three options Liverpool City Council is consulting on
The council has put forward three distinct options for what happens after March 2027. Every landlord in L11, L12, L13, L28 and L6 should understand what each one means in practice.
Option one: like-for-like renewal
The existing scheme is renewed on a broadly similar basis, covering the same designated areas. Landlords currently within the scheme would need to renew their licences. Those outside designated zones would remain unaffected for now.
Option two: targeted expansion
The scheme is extended to cover additional wards identified as having higher concentrations of privately rented homes, lower property conditions, or other qualifying factors. This option could bring postcodes not currently within the scheme into scope for the first time.
Option three: citywide selective licensing
This is the most significant proposal. Under option three, selective licensing would extend to all 64 wards across Liverpool. That means every privately rented property in the city, regardless of postcode, would require a licence. For landlords in areas not currently covered, this would represent an entirely new compliance obligation.
The council requires approval from the Secretary of State to implement a citywide scheme of this scale. That process adds a layer of uncertainty, but it does not reduce the urgency of preparing now.
What the proposed fee increase means for West Derby landlords
Under the current scheme, a selective licence costs £704. The proposed fee under the new arrangements is £995, an increase of £291 per licence, per property.
For a landlord with a single property, that is a manageable but notable increase. For those with larger portfolios spread across L11, L12, L13, L28 and L6, the cumulative cost rises quickly. A landlord with ten properties could be looking at close to £10,000 in licence fees alone.
It is worth noting that these fees are not a fine or a penalty; they cover the cost of administering and enforcing the scheme. But they are a real business cost, and they need to be factored into your financial planning now, not after the decision is made.
Which postcodes are currently licensed and which may be newly affected?
Parts of L6, which covers the Everton and Anfield area, have historically fallen within Liverpool’s selective licensing designations. Landlords in this postcode who are already licensed will need to plan for renewal under whatever scheme replaces the current one.
L11 (Norris Green), L12 (West Derby Village and the surrounding area), L13 (Old Swan), and L28 (Stockbridge Village) have had varying levels of coverage under previous schemes. The proposed citywide expansion under option three would remove any ambiguity; every privately rented property in these postcodes would be in scope.
Even if you believe your property currently sits outside a designated area, the consultation outcome could change that position entirely. The time to check your status and prepare your compliance position is now.
What responsible landlords should be doing right now
The uncertainty around which option the council will choose does not mean landlords should wait. The opposite is true. Here is what proactive landlords across West Derby, Old Swan, Norris Green, Stockbridge Village and the wider area should be doing before the decision lands.
Review your current licence status
If you hold an existing selective licence, check its expiry date and understand what renewal will involve under the new scheme. If you are unsure whether your property is currently within a designated area, verify this with Liverpool City Council directly or speak to a local letting agent with up-to-date knowledge of the scheme.
Audit your property management standards
Selective licensing conditions typically cover a range of management obligations, from gas safety certificates and electrical installation condition reports (EICRs) to tenancy agreements and response times for repairs. If any of these are not currently in order, address them before inspectors come knocking.
Plan for the fee increase in your financial projections
Whether you manage one property or a large portfolio, build the proposed £995 licence fee into your forward planning. If the citywide option is approved and you own properties across multiple postcodes, the total cost could be significant.
Stay engaged with the consultation
Liverpool City Council’s consultation is an opportunity for landlords to make their voices heard. Responsible, professional landlords who maintain high standards have a legitimate interest in how the scheme is designed and enforced. Engaging with the process matters.
Why local expertise makes a real difference right now
Regulatory changes of this scale can feel overwhelming, particularly for landlords who manage properties alongside other commitments. The detail matters; the wrong assumption about your licence status, a missed renewal deadline, or a gap in your compliance documentation can result in penalties that far outweigh the cost of getting it right.
At Whitegates West Derby, we work with landlords across L11, L12, L13, L28 and L6 every day. Our team understands the local market, the specific pressures facing landlords in this part of Liverpool, and the practical steps needed to stay compliant as the regulatory landscape shifts.
West Derby Village, where our office is based, sits at the heart of the communities we serve. We know Old Swan, Norris Green, Stockbridge Village and the wider area not just as postcodes on a map, but as neighbourhoods with their own character, challenges and opportunities. That local knowledge is what sets Whitegates West Derby apart.
The bottom line for Liverpool landlords in West Derby
The March 2027 deadline is closer than it appears. A citywide scheme covering all 64 Liverpool wards is a live possibility. Licence fees are set to rise by over 40%. And the penalty for non-compliance remains up to £30,000 per property.
None of this is designed to alarm responsible landlords; it is designed to inform them. The landlords who will navigate this change most successfully are those who act early, take their compliance obligations seriously, and work with local professionals who understand the detail.
If you are a landlord in L11, L12, L13, L28 or L6 and you want clarity on where you stand, Whitegates West Derby is here to help.
Book a free landlord compliance review with our West Derby team today. We will walk you through your current licence position, help you understand what the consultation outcome could mean for your portfolio, and make sure you are prepared well ahead of the March 2027 deadline.
Get in touch with Whitegates West Derby to speak with one of our local lettings experts, or visit our branch in West Derby Village to start the conversation in person. Do not leave compliance to chance; the cost of waiting is simply too high.
