Newsletter 35 | June 2024
Welcome to our latest edition of the Private Rented Sector Landlord Newsletter
Landlord Registration Renewals
As you are aware, landlords who let properties under a private tenancy in Northern Ireland must be registered, and it must be renewed every three years.
- Did you know that you can renew your registration 8 weeks before your registration is due to expire?
- A renewal email notification will be issued to the email address you used at registration 8 weeks prior to your registration expiring. Alternatively, check your registration certificate and renew eight weeks before your registration expires.
- If you’re the lead landlord in a joint owner group, you are responsible for paying the registration renewal fee but each landlord will need to renew their registration.
- If your registration has already expired, there is a three-month period to renew your registration to ensure you are still registered with the Landlord Registration Scheme.
- To renew your registration, follow the instructions for Manage my Registration Landlord registration process
Update on Sections 8 And 10 of The Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
Private Tenancies Smoke, Heat, and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations came into force on 30 May 2024. These Regulations set the minimum standard for the deployment of alarms, which can either be battery operated or hard-wired, within private rental properties. A phased approach has been applied to operationalising the Regulations in order to provide landlords the opportunity to become compliant, with a time frame of 3 months for new tenancies and 6 months for existing tenancies. This means any new tenancies granted on or after 1 September 2024 must be compliant on the date the new tenancy is granted. Existing tenancies, those granted before 1 September 2024, must comply by 1 December 2024.
It is also the intention that the Private Tenancies Electrical Safety Standards Regulations will come into force late 2024. These Regulations will introduce certified 5-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.
The Difference Between a Tenant and a Licensee
Housing Rights have provided a testimonial where a landlord was having trouble distinguishing between a tenancy agreement and a license agreement.
Tenants typically:
· pay rent to their landlord at regular times
· have a contract saying how long the tenancy will last
· are entitled to notice from their landlord to enter the tenant’s home (or room)
· are entitled to written notice to quit from their landlord
Licensees typically:
· rent a room in their landlord’s home
· get extra services from their landlord such as cleaning, cooking or laundry
· are not entitled to notice from their landlord to enter the tenant’s home (or room)
· do not get a written notice to quit from their landlord
· cannot make changes to their space
Telling the difference between a tenant and licensee | Housing Right
Housing Mediation Service
The free Housing Mediation Service, operated by Housing Rights, helps resolve disputes in private tenancies.
A trained mediator will help those involved in a dispute talk and listen to each other, and try to come to an agreement.
The service is for:
- private landlords
- private tenants
- letting agents
Visit Housing Rights website to find out more or make a referral.
Find out how the housing mediation service has helped others.
Landlord Advice
Landlord Advice is a free service that helps registered landlords understand and navigate their legal responsibilities. It promotes good practice in the private rented sector.
The service is for:
- private landlords
- estate agents
- anyone thinking of becoming a landlord and has questions about how to get started
It is a legal requirement to be registered as a landlord when you are renting to tenants. Please have your landlord registration number available when getting in touch.
Read recent testimonials on how we have helped other landlords.
Landlord Advice is available between 9.30am – 2.30pm Monday to Friday.
Call 028 90 245640 and pick option 1, or email advice@landlordadviceni.org
Private Renting in Northern Ireland
Visit nidirect for up to date information and advice for all things relating to private renting in Northern Ireland.
