Sefton Council Is Moving To Data-Led Enforcement
Property Licensing Guide for Sefton
Sefton currently operates selective licensing in 3 wards and additional licensing in 6 wards; mandatory HMO licensing applies everywhere. Last checked: 20 October 2026.
This free guide will provide you with the key details regarding what licensing requirements are necessary in this area and how to apply for a licence.
New to this? Read our overview: What is selective licensing?
Sefton is in the North West registration window for the PRS database, which opens on 15 May 2027: see PRS database registration in the North West.
Sefton Property Licensing Schemes
To check whether a Sefton property is covered, compare its ward with the lists below. Then confirm with Sefton Council’s licensing team at landlord.licensing@sefton.gov.uk.
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Not sure whether a Sefton property needs a licence? Kamma's free checker covers selective, additional and HMO schemes.
Check a Sefton property →What are the licensing requirements for Sefton?
Mandatory licensing in Sefton
Mandatory HMO licensing applies across Sefton (and all of England) to larger HMOs. These are properties occupied by five or more people forming more than one household, including:
- Shared houses and flats occupied by students and young professionals.
- Properties converted into bedsits with some shared facilities.
- Properties converted into a mix of self-contained and non-self-contained accommodation.
Do I need an additional property licence in Sefton?
Additional licensing requires smaller HMOs in a designated area to be licensed. That means a privately rented property with three or more people forming more than one household.
Sefton operates additional HMO licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Do I need a selective licence in Sefton?
Selective licensing requires almost all privately rented properties in a designated area to be licensed, regardless of the number of occupants.
Sefton operates selective licensing. The current designation is set out below.
Additional licensing: 1 March 2023 to 29 February 2028, covering Blundellsands, Cambridge, Church, Duke’s, Kew and Victoria.
Selective licensing: 1 March 2023 to 29 February 2028, covering Derby, Linacre and Litherland.
Mandatory HMO licensing: in force since 2006 for HMOs of five or more people forming more than one household.
How do I apply for a licence?
You can apply for a licence via Sefton Council’s website here. Or let Kamma’s expert team process the application for you.
How much does a licence cost?
Sefton Council sets the following licence fees (each paid in two stages):
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mandatory HMO | £950 for a new licence (£800 for accredited landlords), £900 on renewal, plus £30 per additional unit. |
| Additional HMO | £950 (£800 accredited / £750 accredited managing agent), plus £30 per additional unit. |
| Selective | £695 (£545 accredited), plus £30 per additional unit. |
Fees are set by the council and can change. Check Sefton Council’s landlord licensing pages for the latest figures.
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Sefton Property Licensing FAQs
What licensing schemes does Sefton operate?
Sefton operates selective and additional licensing (1 March 2023 to 29 February 2028), alongside the national mandatory HMO scheme. See the scheme details above.
Do all properties in Sefton need a licence?
No. In Sefton, selective licensing applies in Derby, Linacre and Litherland wards, where most privately rented homes need a licence. Additional HMO licensing applies in six wards for HMOs of three or more people. Mandatory HMO licensing applies borough-wide to HMOs of five or more people.
What if my property doesn't have a licence?
An unlicensed Sefton property that needs a licence can bring civil penalties of up to £40,000 for offences on or after 1 May 2026. The landlord also risks a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. A letting agent who manages the property or collects the rent commits the offence too and can be fined separately.
Can letting agents apply on behalf of landlords?
Yes. Letting agents can apply for Sefton property licences on behalf of landlords. Sefton Council takes applications online through its housing licensing portal, and many agents manage the full process for their landlords.
How do I apply for a Sefton property licence?
You can apply through Sefton Council’s website (licensing pages), or use a managed service such as Kamma.
Why did Sefton introduce selective licensing?
Sefton Council re-designated its selective licensing scheme for the Bootle area from 1 March 2023 to 29 February 2028, after a consultation that closed on 31 July 2022. The council says the schemes have improved living conditions for tenants and reduced anti-social behaviour in the wider areas.
Why did Sefton introduce additional licensing?
Sefton Council re-designated additional HMO licensing for parts of Seaforth, Waterloo, Brighton-le-Sands and central Southport from 1 March 2023 to 29 February 2028. It applies to HMOs of three or more people who are not one household and that fall below the mandatory threshold. The council cites the same consultation, which closed on 31 July 2022.
What are the conditions to obtain an HMO licence in Sefton?
Sefton Council sets licence conditions for HMOs on fire safety, amenities, room sizes and management. Read the additional HMO licence conditions or the mandatory HMO licence conditions.
About Sefton
Sefton is a metropolitan borough in Merseyside, North West England, stretching from the northern outskirts of Liverpool to the coastal town of Southport. It encompasses a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas, including key towns such as Bootle, Crosby, and Formby. Known for its diverse landscape, Sefton features coastal areas, parks, and nature reserves. The borough plays a significant role within the Liverpool City Region, with a population of around 275,000 people. Sefton Council describes its selective licensing area as Bootle, and its additional HMO area as parts of Seaforth, Waterloo, Brighton-le-Sands and central Southport.
Licensing Enforcement in Sefton
Sefton Council enforces property licensing across its schemes. On 13 June 2026 the council reported a prosecution over an unlicensed Bootle property: a £4,000 fine after a guilty plea, plus a £1,600 victim surcharge and £1,000 costs. Letting a property without the required licence risks prosecution and civil penalties of up to £40,000 per property. The landlord can also face a rent repayment order of up to 24 months’ rent. Where a letting agent manages the property or collects the rent, the agent commits the offence too and can be fined in its own right.
