Landlords in Liverpool risk a fine or prosecution if they fail to sign up for the city’s new licencing scheme by 1 April
 
The scheme is being introduced in Liverpool under the government’s selective licensing laws and signing up for it is compulsory.

Landlords applying online will pay £400 for a first property, £350 for each additional property and £200 for properties in an approved scheme such as the >CLASS Accredited Landlord Scheme.

Liverpool City Council says the scheme will ensure that licensed landlords in the city are ‘fit and proper’. Before they are granted a licence the council will ask landlords to declare convictions for dishonesty, violence or drug-related offences, or breaches of housing or landlord and tenant laws.

Licensed landlords’ properties must meet fire, electric and gas safety standards and be in a good state of repair. Licensed landlords must be able to deal effectively with any complaints about their tenants.

The first stage of the council’s application process requires landlords to register their contact details and list the properties they own.

Once registered, the council will contact landlords to let them know when and how to complete the second part of the application process, when payment is due and how to pay.

"So what? It's Liverpool not Hull?" Well this idea has been discussed in the Guild Hall by HCC and if the scheme runs well for Liverpool council, who knows?