Another council is to conduct a consultation process to expand selective and additional licensing schemes for the next five years.

Under existing schemes private landlords in parts of Sefton, Merseyside, have been required to licence their properties – but these end early in 2023.

So Sefton council is consulting with residents, private landlords, businesses, and other stakeholders on proposals to re-designate the Selective and Additional licensing schemes for the further five-year period from March next year until March 2028.

The 12-week consultation will cover the proposals to redesignate Selective Licensing across Bootle. It will also include proposals for Additional HMO Licensing across parts of Seaforth/Waterloo/Brighton-le-Sands and central Southport.

As a result of the current licencing schemes, Sefton council claims it has been able to make improvements in the standards of management by private landlords and the living conditions for tenants.

It says: “Extending the scheme for a further five years will enable the council to build on this success and bring about further improvements in landlords’ management practices as well as in property conditions across the private rented sector to benefit tenants and the communities affected.”

A spokesperson says: “Thanks to the Selective and Additional (HMO) licensing schemes, we have brought about significant improvements to the standards of management and property conditions in the private rented sector in the parts of the borough where the scheme was introduced.

“Through re-designating the licensing schemes, we can build on the improvements already made and will continue to engage with landlords to realise our vision of creating strong and resilient communities and the opportunity to live in good quality homes.

“We remain committed to make these areas safe and attractive places in which to live and through the proposed redesign of the licensing schemes we are seeking the full co-operation of landlords and their tenants in making this happen.”