Your licensing update for April

March has been a busy month for property licensing news, with the announcement of several new consultations and schemes.

A new selective licensing scheme has been introduced in Liverpool today (1st April 2022), across sixteen wards in the city. There is an early-bird discount for landlords who apply for the licence before the end of June 2022. Read more about the new scheme and how to apply here.

Elsewhere, a selective licensing scheme was also approved in Birmingham this month. The scheme is set to start on 1st April 2023 according to Birmingham City Council's website, and will last five years when it comes into force. It will apply to a large number of wards across the city. Read more here.

In West Lindsey, a licensing consultation was ‘brought to a halt’ this month, following a decision by the council on 7th March 2022. The consultation had been open since 17th January, and has been halted with more information expected on the council’s webpages expected soon.

Finally, in Greenwich, the local authority is considering consulting on the re-launch of an additional HMO licensing scheme in the borough. Our policy officer Samantha Watkin takes a deep dive into the background of the scheme in this guest blog for London Property Licensing, which you can read here.

Licensing support for members

Don’t forget, NRLA members can access instant and accurate licensing information by registering with NRLA Licensing Support, powered by Kamma Data.

Landlords can also learn more about property licensing schemes and advice on responding to consultations, by visiting the NRLA’s Licensing Toolkit.

Current licensing consultations

Peterborough – selective licensing (closes 13th April 2022) 

Peterborough City Council’s existing selective licensing scheme for private sector landlords in parts of the city expired on 31 October 2021, after being in place for five years. The council is proposing to implement a new scheme in the city. It is currently consulting on the plans, seeking views on the location of the new scheme as well as fees and the terms and conditions of the selective licence. Landlords can learn more and respond to this consultation here.

Sefton Council- additional and selective licensing (expected 9th May 2022)

According to reports on mysefton.co.uk, Sefton Council is planning to consult with landlords, tenants and the wider community on proposals to introduce both selective and additional licensing. It is expected this consultation will launch in May, more information can be read here.

Cornwall Council consultation on PRS regulation (closes 27th May 2022)

Cornwall council is currently running a consultation, seeking views on how it uses enforcement powers 'to regulate the condition of privately rented housing'. More on the survey can be read online here.