MAJOR consultation on plans to radically improve living standards and rid communities of run-down rented properties begins next week.

The move comes after a review showed one-in-three properties in Wirral's private rented sector failed to meet the “decent homes” standard, having a detrimental impact on the health and welfare of communities.

Four areas have been identified for improvement measures: Birkenhead South, Egerton North, Seacombe Library and Egremont Promenade South.

In future, landlords will have to purchase a council licence and commit to carrying out repairs and maintenance in order to be legally allowed to put their homes on the rental market.

Some areas of Wirral have a stagnant housing market with high numbers of vacant properties, low house prices and rental values.

The local authority says introduction of the “Selective Licensing” scheme in targeted areas would help to stabilise those neighbourhoods.

Council housing chief Cllr George Davies said: “Many landlords act responsibly and Wirral has worked in partnership over several years to drive up standards through the Landlord Accreditation Scheme where in total 3,752 properties have been accredited.

“While this is impressive, we need to do more specifically where there are high levels of poorly managed properties.

“These properties blight our communities and encourage anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and low demand.

“Families in Wirral deserve the opportunity to rent their homes from a rental market which is regulated, of good quality and from a landlord they can be confident in.

"We believe introducing a scheme such as this will play a major part in achieving this.”

It is proposed to undertake detailed targeted consultation with landlords, tenants and stakeholders who directly live or operate in the proposed licensing district or those immediately in the surrounding areas.