Do I need a landlord licence in Liverpool?

Yes — some rentals in Liverpool need a licence beyond the national HMO rules. Whether yours does depends on the property’s address and who lives there.

Mandatory HMO licensing (national)

Yes, everywhere in England

This is national law, not a council choice: any property rented to 5 or more people who form 2 or more separate households is a licensable HMO anywhere in England. If that describes your property, you need a licence from the council whether or not it runs any local scheme.

Official council source →

Selective licensing in Liverpool

Yes — a scheme is in force

A selective licensing scheme has been in force since 1 April 2022 covering 16 designated wards (roughly 80% of the city's private rented sector), and runs until 31 March 2027 - it is ward-based, not citywide. A consultation closing 5 October 2026 is considering a successor scheme from April 2027, with citywide, deprivation-based and property-condition options on the table. If your property falls inside the designation, letting it without a selective licence is a criminal offence. Schemes change and new designations appear, so always confirm on the council’s own page before relying on this.

Official council source →

Additional HMO licensing in Liverpool

None that we know of

Liverpool operates mandatory HMO licensing only: "any property with five or more people who form unrelated households, and share amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom, must have an HMO licence." No additional scheme covering smaller HMOs is in force. As of our last check we found no additional licensing scheme in Liverpool — but always confirm on the council’s page, because councils can designate new schemes at any time.

Official council source →

Is your exact property covered?

Designations in Liverpool can run street by street. Check where your property stands in 3 minutes — free, no account.

Get your free compliance scoreFull audit + call — £99

Common questions

Do I need a landlord licence in Liverpool?
It depends on the property: larger HMOs (5 or more people from 2 or more households) always need a mandatory licence anywhere in England, and Liverpool’s own selective or additional schemes can extend licensing to other rentals — see the current position above.
What happens if I let an unlicensed property in Liverpool?
Letting a licensable property without a licence is a criminal offence: unlimited fines on conviction or civil penalties of up to £30,000, a rent repayment order of up to 12 months’ rent, and restrictions on regaining possession.
How do I check if my exact address is inside a licensing area?
Designations are often street-by-street. Check the map or address checker on Liverpool’s licensing pages (linked above), or take our free compliance score and we’ll flag licensing as something to verify for your property.
How much does a landlord licence cost?
Fees are set per council and per scheme, typically several hundred pounds per property for a five-year licence. Liverpool’s current fees are on the official page linked above.
Can LetClerk handle the licence application for me?
Yes — checking your address against current schemes and preparing the application is part of our done-for-you compliance service. Start with the free score or the £99 audit and we’ll take it from there.