Have your say on proposals to improve standards in privately rented homes in parts of Halton
Halton Borough Council is inviting residents, tenants, landlords, managing and letting agents, businesses, community organisations and partner organisations to share their views on proposals to introduce a Selective Licensing scheme for privately rented homes in:
The private rented sector plays an important role in Halton’s housing market. It provides homes for a wide range of households, including families, single people, younger residents, lower-income households and people who need flexible housing options. Many landlords in Halton provide well-managed, good-quality homes and make a positive contribution to the borough.
However, evidence gathered by the Council shows that in some parts of Halton, private rented housing is more concentrated and is more likely to overlap with poor property conditions, older housing stock, lower energy efficiency, affordability pressures, deprivation and household vulnerability. These issues can affect tenants’ health, wellbeing and financial resilience, and can also place pressure on local services and wider neighbourhoods.
The proposed Selective Licensing scheme would give the Council a more proactive way to improve property standards, safety and management in privately rented homes in the proposed areas. It would require landlords to obtain a licence and comply with enforceable conditions relating to property condition and management, rather than relying only on complaints being made before action is taken.
Your views will help to inform whether the scheme should be introduced and, if so, how it should be designed and implemented.
The consultation will run from Monday 3rd August at 12pm to Sunday 18th October 2026 at 11.59pm
All feedback received during this period will be carefully considered before any final decision is made.
Halton Borough Council is proposing to introduce a Selective Licensing scheme under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004. If approved, the scheme would require most privately rented homes in the proposed designation areas to be licensed by the Council, unless exempt by law.
The proposed scheme would cover an estimated 3,485 private rented households. Based on 2021 Census data, this represents around 43.4% of the borough’s private rented households.
Licensing would allow the Council to set and enforce clear conditions relating to:
The proposal is targeted. It applies only to the proposed designation areas where the Council considers the evidence demonstrates the greatest need for intervention. It does not apply across the whole of Halton.
Before introducing a Selective Licensing scheme, the law requires the Council to carry out public consultation and consider the views of people likely to be affected.
This consultation seeks views on:
Your feedback will help the Council decide whether to introduce the proposed scheme and, if so, how it should be implemented. Whether you are a private renter, landlord, letting agent, managing agent, local resident, business, community organisation or partner agency, this is your opportunity to shape how Halton improves housing standards, supports responsible landlords and protects people living in the private rented sector.
The following documents are available as part of this consultation:
Halton Borough Council: Selective Licensing Consultation Document
This document explains:
Appendix 1: Detailed maps of the proposed licensing locations
The Council has included maps of the proposed locations
The Council has compiled photographic evidence showing examples of poor property conditions and management issues found in some privately rented homes. The images help demonstrate why targeted action is being considered to improve standards and protect tenants.
Appendix 3: Proposed Selective Licensing conditions
This sets out the proposed licence conditions that landlords and managing agents would need to comply with if the scheme is introduced.
Appendix 4: Equality Impact Assessment
The Equality Impact Assessment considers the potential equality implications of the proposed scheme and identifies measures to help ensure the consultation and any future scheme are fair and accessible.
An Easy Read version of the consultation information is available for people who prefer information in a simpler, more visual format.
A short video presentation is available which provides a summary of the proposed scheme and the consultation process.
Frequently Asked Questions for landlords
The landlord FAQs provide clear answers to common questions about what licensing is, who needs a licence, how to apply, what the conditions involve and how the proposed fee would work.
Frequently Asked Questions for tenants
The tenant FAQs explain what the scheme means for people renting in the proposed designation areas, including what standards their home should meet and how to report problems.
The feedback survey asks for views on the principle of Selective Licensing, the proposed designation areas, licence conditions, proposed fee, alternatives to licensing and likely impacts.
You can share your views in several ways.
Complete the online survey
The easiest way to respond is by completing the online survey:
Email your comments
You can send written comments by email to: Housing.standards@halton.gov.uk
Please include “Selective Licensing Consultation” in the subject line.
Respond by post
You can send written responses by post to:
Halton Borough Council Environmental Health Department P O Box 317, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 9BZ
Call the consultation team
You can also contact the consultation team by phone if you have questions or need help taking part:
Telephone / Freephone: 0800 612 9133
Attend a drop-in or virtual session
The Council will be holding a number of in-person and/or virtual consultation events during the consultation period. These will give people an opportunity to find out more about the proposals, ask questions and share their views.
In-person drop-in sessions, no appointment needed
Virtual sessions, booking required
If you would like to book onto a virtual session, please call 0800 612 9133 or email Lynne.Shaw@arc4.co.uk
Accessibility and alternative formats
Halton Borough Council wants the consultation to be accessible to everyone who may be affected by the proposals.
If you need this information in another format, such as large print, Easy Read, audio or a translated version, or if you need help completing the survey, please contact:
Consultation closing date
The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Sunday 18th October 2026
Please ensure your response is submitted before this deadline.
What happens next?
After the consultation closes, all responses will be reviewed and summarised in a consultation report. The Council will consider the feedback before deciding whether to introduce the proposed Selective Licensing scheme, amend the proposal or not proceed.
No final decision has been made at this stage.