Newsletter 33 | October 2023
Welcome to our latest edition of the Private Rented Sector Landlord Newsletter
Consultations Open for Comment
The Private Tenancies (NI) Act 2022 - Section 8 (Alarms) and Section 10 (Electrical Safety) draft Regulations and Guidance Notes have gone live for comment on the DfC website. The consultation will run for 12 weeks closing at 5pm on 6 December 2023.
The draft Regulations and accompanying Guidance Notes were produced with the assistance of an Expert Panel, as it was recognised from an early stage that the work would involve the consideration of a range of technical issues. The Expert Panel was comprised of representatives from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, Council Environmental Health Officers, Electrical Safety First (a campaigning charity that aims to reduce deaths and injuries caused by electricity), and professional engineering expertise from DoF Building Standards.
The consultation is split into two distinct sections for comment:
- Section 8 focuses on the provision of sufficient smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms
- Section 10 introduces electrical safety checks every five years
We would encourage you all, as landlords, to take this opportunity to have your say on the new legislation and accompanying guidance, as currently drafted.
Current plans are that Section 8 will come into force in early 2024. The implementation of Section 10 is, however, subject to the draft affirmative legislative process and therefore cannot progress (post consultation) until the return of the Assembly.
During the 12-week consultation period, we have also committed to engage with representative bodies and a Forum meeting will be offered to The Landlords Association for Northern Ireland (LANI) to hear their collective view, alongside learning from you individually within the consultation questionnaires.
If you would like any further information on either of the consultations, please contact Audrey Fallon at PRS@communities-ni.gov.uk
Mediation Service Testimonials
Jakob, a private tenant, contacted the Housing Mediation Service after he realised he had been paying too much rent. His landlord Peter wasn’t willing to pass on the money because he said Jakob hadn’t been looking after the property and Peter had to pay over £600 for repairs. After Jakob contacted the Mediation Service, they contacted Peter who agreed to take part in mediation and the issue was resolved with some of the excess rent going towards repairs.
Read the full testimonial on the Housing Rights website.
Housing Rights operate this free Mediation Service to resolve disputes in private tenancies. The service has reached 274 positive outcomes in housing disputes since it launched in November 2019.
The service is for:
- private landlords
- private tenants
- letting agents
A mediator helps people involved in a dispute to talk and listen to each other. They try to solve the problem and do not judge.
Landlord Advice
The Landlord Advice line is a free service for landlords who have registered with the Landlord Registration Scheme and callers must have their landlord registration number to hand when making a call.
Landlord Advice is available between 9.30am – 2.30pm Monday to Friday.
Call 028 90 245640 and pick option 1.
Private Renting in Northern Ireland
Visit nidirect for up to date information and advice for all things relating to private renting in Northern Ireland.
