Landlord Licensing Guide

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council has a live landlord licensing scheme

Metropolitan · North West · Last researched 2026-08-29

Selective licensing in Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

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Selective licensing 2023-2028; runs 2023-03-01 to 2028-02-29; coverage: partial

Designated areas: Derby, Linacre, Litherland. Partial-coverage schemes only apply on specific streets — check the council's own boundary map for your exact address.

Medium confidence — sourced from a licensing data aggregator, not independently re-verified on the council's own domain this pass. Sources: https://www.sefton.gov.uk/SelectiveandAdditional(HMO)LicensingSchemes2023-2028 · https://www.kammadata.com/uk-property-guide/property-licensing-guide-for-sefton/

Additional licensing in Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

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Additional (HMO) licensing 2023-2028; runs 2023-03-01 to 2028-02-29; coverage: partial

Designated areas: Parts of: Seaforth, Waterloo, Brighton-le-Sands, Southport. Partial-coverage schemes only apply on specific streets — check the council's own boundary map for your exact address.

Medium confidence — sourced from a licensing data aggregator, not independently re-verified on the council's own domain this pass. Sources: https://www.sefton.gov.uk/housing/private-sector-housing/landlord-licensing-and-accreditation/additional-hmo-licensing-2023-2028/

National obligations that apply everywhere in England

These apply regardless of Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council's own licensing rules — every England landlord is on the hook for these:

Annual Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) — Any property with gas — unlimited fine and/or imprisonment on conviction if missing.
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — Every rental property — a live legal requirement in England since 2020.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — Every rental property — currently rated E or above to be let legally.
Tenancy deposit protection — Any deposit taken — must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days.
Right to Rent checks — Every tenant — landlords must verify immigration status before letting.
PRS Landlord Database registration — Phasing in nationally 2026–2028 under the Renters' Rights Act — a new, separate requirement from council licensing.

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Information, not legal advice. Compiled from public sources on 2026-08-29; licensing schemes change on a weeks-to-months cadence, not annually, so always confirm directly with Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council before relying on this for a real letting decision. Overall confidence for this page: medium.