Selective Licensing in your area - Knowsley Council

How long will a licence last?
The licence will usually last for up to five years but in certain
circumstances can be granted for a shorter period, or the scheme
may be withdrawn early if appropriate.
How much will a licence cost?
Fee levels will be determined and published, subject to approval
of the scheme, prior to its commencement. A discount may be
available subject to consultation and approval of the scheme.
To access any proposed discount the landlord would have to be
a member of the Knowsley Landlord Accreditation Scheme and
have met all the accreditation scheme requirements for those
properties to which a licence would apply. A landlord seeking to
benefit from any proposed discount will also need to have met all
the above criteria prior to the date of approval for the Selective
Licensing Scheme.
What if I do not get a licence?
It is a criminal offence to rent a property in a designated Selective
Licensing area without applying for a licence. The landlord could be
fined on conviction, up to £20,000.
If the council is unable to grant a licence, or choose to revoke a
licence for breach of conditions, there are other financial penalties
and alternative management arrangements may be enforced.
Where do I go for more information?
Selective
Licensing
in your area
Guide for residents and private landlords
Strategic Housing
telephone: 0151 443 2287
email: housing@knowsley.gov.uk
You can also get this information in other formats.
Please phone Customer Services on 0151 443 4031,
or email customerservices@knowsley.gov.uk
Designed by Knowsley Communications. Copyright © 2012 Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley
What is
Selective Licensing?
The Housing Act 2004 gives councils the power to introduce
the licensing of private sector rented houses within a
designated area. The aim of Selective Licensing is to improve
the management and conditions of the properties to ensure
they have a positive impact on the area.

Why introduce
Selective
Licensing?
Most landlords provide decent well
managed and maintained
accommodation, and follow good
management practices enabling
them to run successful tenancies
which do not cause any problems
for the local community. However, in
some circumstances anti-social
behaviour, vandalism and poor
management of properties can
severely impact on the community
of that area.
The Housing Act 2004 states that
an area may be designated for
Selective Licensing if it meets one
of the following conditions:
• It is or is likely to become an
area of low housing demand
• It is experiencing a significant
and persistent problem
caused by anti-social
behaviour
The changes in the law mean that
Knowsley Council can introduce
Selective Licensing where licensing
would be of benefit to the local
community and will ensure that
management standards in the
private rented sector are regulated.
What could
Selective
Licensing mean
for you?
• Reduction in anti-social
behaviour
• Support and training for
private landlords
• Provision of better housing
and management standards
• Improved image and
perception of the area
• A positive economic future
for the local community and
local businesses
Selective Licensing in Knowsley
Following consultation with private landlords, private tenants, residents and other relevant groups, Knowsley
Council intend to seek formal approval to introduce a Selective Licensing Scheme within an area of the ward.
The proposed
designation area will cover
the following streets:
Adswood Road
Alamein Road
Alexander Green
Anzio Road
Ardennes Road
Arnhem Road
Atkinson Grove
Bakers Green Road
Bluebell Lane
Bower Road
Brookwood Road
Coppice Crescent
Derna Road
Fullerton Grove
Geneva Close
Glade Road
Horrocks Close
Horrocks Road
Ironside Road
Lester Grove
Liverpool Road
Malta Close
Midway Road
Montgomery Road
Mossbrow Road
North Atlantic Close
Northwood Road
Paxton Road
Reeds Road
Rome Close
Rotherham Close
Salerno Drive
Slim Road
Tobruk Road
Wavell Road
Wellcroft Road
Selective Licensing Reeds Road
To obtain a licence the landlord or agent must:
• Hold a current annual gas safety certificate for the premises
• Ensure any provision of furniture complies with the Furniture
Furnishings (fire)(safety) Regulations 1993
• Ensure electrical appliances in the dwelling are safe, and
provide a safety declaration if requested to do so
• Fit and maintain smoke alarms as necessary
• Issue tenants with a written tenancy agreement that includes terms
and conditions regarding nuisance and anti-social behaviour
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• Take ‘reasonable and practicable steps’ to prevent or reduce
anti-social behaviour
• Positively engage and work with council partners such as the
Police and Fire and Rescue Service to help tackle problems
that arise which relate to the private rented sector
• Obtain references for prospective tenants
• Carry out repairs and other legal responsibilities in a
reasonable time
• Give their contact details to tenants
Who will need
a licence?
All privately rented properties in the
designated area will be required to
be licensed. A licensee can be the
owner or a managing agent
designated as an appropriate
person.
This does not apply to:
• Private Registered Providers
of Social Housing (Registered
Social Landlords)
• Tenancies under long-term
lease
• Business tenancies
• Properties that the council have
taken action to close down or
those with a temporary
exemption notice in force
• A property which is a house in
multiple occupation (HMO) and
is already licensed under part
two of the Housing Act 2004
(HMOs that are three storeys
high and have five or more
tenants who are from two or
more households)
How will a
landlord apply
for a licence?
Once a licensing scheme is launched,
landlords will need to complete an
application form available from
Knowsley Council and provide
specific information that show they:
• Meet the ‘fit and proper’ person
check
• Have satisfactory procedures
for dealing with anti-social
behaviour
• Allocate properties suitable for
the number of occupants
• Have satisfactory management
and financial standards
Knowsley Council already offers a
range of assistance to support
landlords through the Knowsley
Landlord Accreditation Scheme
which can assist in meeting some of
these requirements.