Private Tenancies Act Section 8 coming into force on 1 September
The Smoke, Heat and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 set the standards for the number and type of alarms that must be installed in privately rented properties. Once they come into force, letting agents and landlords will be responsible for installing and keeping alarms sufficient in any property they rent out.
Further Regulations confirmed under the Private Tenancies Act
Following the enactment of Sections 1-6 of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 on 1 April 2023, the Department for Communities has outlined that two further phases, Sections 8 and 10, will come into force by the end of 2024.
Issue 53: Winter 2023
Is your agency looking a bit tired or ragged round the edges? Time for a bit of TLC? This issue contains advice from the professionals in sprucing up your agency, whether it's a top-to-toe reinvention or a simple mini-update. Our polcy special looks at what an announced White Paper for Wales could mean for the PRS, phase two of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and a report on the political party conferences.
Safety regulations give agents much-needed clarity
Mandatory requirements for fire, smoke and CO2 alarms in private rented properties are intended to come into effect in Northern Ireland in January 2024. However, the requirement for inspection and testing of the property’s electrical hard-wired installation every five years does not yet have a confirmed implementation date.
Views sought on next phases of the Private Tenancies Act
Two consultations are open for responses from stakeholders with the aim of making sure regulations under Section 8 and Section 10 of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 provide a sound legislative framework and that the guidance given is clear, complete and easy to follow.
Tenants should have a range of payment options
Propertymark members have backed proposals to ensure tenants in Northern Ireland are given a range of ways to make rent and other related payments. The Department for Communities has been consulting on provisions in Section 12 of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, which would allow them to enforce regulation on the methods of payment that should be offered.
FAQs: Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
Sections 1-6 of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 were enacted on 1 April 2023. This FAQ document provides answers to the most common questions that we have received from Propertymark members.
Permitted Development Rights relaxed to help improve energy efficiency
Ground or water source heat pumps and the installation, alteration or replacement of an air source heat pump are now included under the General Permitted Development Order in Northern Ireland.
Payment options for tenants consultation
Following the enactment of Sections 1-6 of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 in April 2023, the Department for Communities outlined they'd be consulting on Sections 7-12 and have now opened a survey on Section 12 that gives the Department power to make regulations to ensure a private landlord offers a choice of payment to a tenant.
Fact sheet: Tenancy deposit requirements in Northern Ireland
In 2011, the Northern Ireland Assembly passed the Housing (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and later the Tenancy Deposit Schemes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 which introduced regulations for protecting tenancy deposits in Northern Ireland.
Fact sheet: Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Act 2022
The Housing Strategy Action Plan 2012–2017 committed the Department for Communities to review the private rented sector in Northern Ireland. This led to the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 which received Royal Assent on 27 April 2022.
Fact sheet: Notice to quit periods
Under the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, the changes made to notice to quit periods by the emergency legislation was established as a long-term measure. This permanent extension to the notice to quit period was one of many changes introduced by the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.
Introduction of Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 postponed
The Department for Communities has announced a delay in the implementation of Sections 1-6 of the Act until 1 April 2023 to give local councils and those affected more time to adjust to the new rules. They were expected to be introduced at the end of December 2022.
No case for tighter rent controls in Northern Ireland
Independent research has been published on the implications of regulation to implement a rent decrease of up to 10% and/or a rent freeze for up to four years.
Private Tenancies Bill in Northern Ireland receives Royal Assent
New notice to quit periods are now effective for landlords and letting agents in Northern Ireland as the Private Tenancies Bill received Royal Assent, creating the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.
Regulate the sector and improve property standards
Propertymark calls on all parties ahead of the Northern Ireland elections in May to recognise the crucial role played by those in the property sector to meet the country's housing needs.