Liverpool City Council is adding 34 to its landlord licensing team, in signs the council is looking to get tougher on those who flaunt the rules.
This will bring up the total to 120, which will help the council oversee the 46,000 rented homes that are covered by the selective licensing scheme, which accounts for 80% of the privately rented homes in the city.
Common violations include poor fire and electrical safety hazards, cold and damp, and anti-social behaviour.
The council has already hired seven, who will focus on unlicensed properties in flats above shops, those who demand rent in cash, and landlords who are suspected as being involved in criminal activity.
Liam Robinson, council leader, said: “We are committed to working alongside landlords to ensure rental properties in Liverpool are safe and well-managed, and to taking action in cases where they are not.
“Landlords with properties in designated areas have a legal duty to sign up for the scheme, and we now have 5,000 more properties than anticipated – which shows the size and scale of the sector in Liverpool.”
The Renters’ Rights Act comes into force in May 1 2026, so councils are likely to need more staff to properly enforce the act.
A new landlord licensing scheme is set to run from April 2027, which could see an expansion of the number of properties covered.
