The Department must consult with the persons laid down in the Act before preparing a report on the consultation and then lay it before the Assembly before 27 October 2023.
The survey will close on 17 July 2023 and Propertymark encourages letting agents to share with landlords and tenants. The questions cover:
- Experiences of issues where a landlord only accepts cash for rent or other payments related to tenancies
- Should landlords offer a choice of payment methods
- If introduced, what is considered 'good practice' or should it be enforced through legislation
The evidence provided will then inform a decision on whether regulations are required.
More consultations to come
The Act brought a series of changes to renting in Northern Ireland, including the requirement to provide information to tenants as well as caps on deposits. The latter sections include regulations on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as well as energy efficiency and electrical safety requirements.
Further consultations are expected to be released over the next few months and our Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 web page will keep abreast of the details as they are announced.
Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
The Act represents the biggest change to housing law in Northern Ireland for years. It reforms the way all landlords and letting agents in Northern Ireland rent their properties.
Propertymark is working closely with the Department for Communities to provide feedback from our members, as well as support them to understand how to best implement it. We will maintain this vital communication to ensure their ongoing concerns are addressed.
