Further Regulations confirmed under the Private Tenancies Act

The Private Tenancies Smoke, Heat, and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations will come into force under the negative resolution procedure in the next month or two subject to the necessary approvals.  

These Regulations will set the minimum standard for alarms, which can be battery-operated or hard-wired within private rental properties. A phased approach will be applied to operationalising the Regulations to allow landlords to become compliant with a proposed time frame of three months for new tenancies and six months for existing tenancies.

Electrical safety

The Private Tenancies Electrical Safety Standards Regulations will come into force in late 2024 (again this is subject to all necessary approvals being obtained). These Regulations introduce certified five-yearly electrical safety checks of a private rental property’s hardwired electrical installation.  

A longer-phased approach for existing tenancies will be applied for operationalising these Regulations as it is recognised landlords will have to engage a qualified electrician to undertake a first inspection and obtain the necessary report to have properties compliant.

Department for Communities to address agents

David Polley, Director of Housing Supply Policy, The Department for Communities (DfC) will address Propertymark members at the Northern Ireland National Conference on 15 May in Belfast on developments in housing policy within the Department, the progression of Phase 1 of PRS reform, the plans for Phase 2 and new work within the Housing on Building Safety and Climate Change.

For the chance to question DfC on any aspect of the Act, register for the Propertymark Northern Ireland National Conference – it is free for members and open to non-members.