Liverpool City Council has issued just 2% of license applications since it launched its compulsory landlord licensing scheme in April 2015.
This news arrives after a Freedom of Information Request from the National Landlords Association (NLA).
Comparatively, the London Borough of Newham has issued 74% of its applications over the same period. Its licensing scheme has resulted in over 600 prosecutions,
Just 2% of Landlord Licenses Issued in Liverpool
more than 500 arrests, over 100 rent repayment orders and 26 banning orders since its launch in January 2013.
Recently, Liverpool City Council announced its co-regulation partners for administering the scheme. Find out who they are here: /liverpool-city-council-partners-with-arla-nals-and-the-rla/
It is obligatory for all private landlords in Liverpool to apply for a license. The scheme was introduced to ensure a level of quality and proper practice in the private rental sector.
In order to be issued with a license, landlords must declare any convictions and their rental properties must meet fire, electric and gas safety standards and be in a good state of repair.
Licenses cost £400 for the first property and £350 for any additional properties. Landlords that are members of the city’s accreditation scheme, CLASS, or members of the council’s co-regulation partner groups receive a 50% discount on licenses.
The Chairman of the NLA, Carolyn Uphill, comments on the shocking statistic: “These findings show that Liverpool City Council can’t cope with this scheme, which is precisely what we said would happen when they proposed it almost two years ago.
“Quite frankly, it’s embarrassing. If the council can’t process applications or inspect properties, then how can it improve property standards for tenants?
“At this rate, it will take 13 years to inspect the city’s private rented housing and 38 years to license them all, so the scheme’s co-regulation partners have got their work cut out.”
She insists: “The NLA has opposed this scheme from the very start. We do not regulate our members, so it would be inappropriate for us to play any part in a scheme that effectively polices landlords on the council’s behalf.”1
Landlords in Liverpool are reminded that they must apply for a license.
1 http://www.landlords.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/embarrassing-two-cent-landlord-licenses-issued-liverpool-council