Propertymark has welcomed plans to strengthen Northern Ireland’s Landlord Registration Scheme, arguing that tougher registration requirements could help improve tenant safety, support enforcement activity and drive rogue landlords out of the private rented sector.
Responding to a Department for Communities consultation on proposed changes to The Landlord Registration Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014, the professional body said the reforms would help transform the register into a more effective compliance and enforcement tool.
The proposals would require landlords to provide additional information when registering properties, including details relating to gas and electrical safety, energy performance certificates, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and fitness for human habitation standards.
Propertymark says its response was informed by feedback from member agents operating across Northern Ireland, with strong support recorded for the majority of the proposed measures.
FAIRER SECTOR
The organisation believes the reforms could help create a fairer private rented sector by making it easier for enforcement agencies to identify landlords and agents who fail to meet their legal responsibilities, while improving confidence among tenants that rental properties comply with key safety standards.
One of the most strongly supported proposals was the requirement to provide gas safety information as part of the registration process, with surveyed agents unanimously backing the measure.
Propertymark also endorsed plans to allow information sharing with the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland to support enforcement activity and improve coordination between regulatory bodies.
However, the organisation has called on policymakers to ensure the new requirements do not create unnecessary administrative burdens for compliant landlords and agents.
The body has urged the Department for Communities to provide greater clarity on the role of letting agents in managing registration obligations on behalf of landlords and has suggested that agents should be able to upload and maintain compliance documents directly within the system.
Propertymark also highlighted opportunities to streamline compliance by allowing landlords and agents to direct prospective tenants to information held within the registration portal, reducing the need to repeatedly provide the same documents.
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
Henry Griffith (main picture, inset), Policy Officer at Propertymark, says: “The vast majority of landlords and letting agents work hard to provide safe, compliant homes for tenants. Strengthening the Landlord Registration Scheme will help create a level playing field by making it easier to identify and take action against those who fail to meet the standards expected of them.
“A more effective registration system can improve compliance, support enforcement agencies and provide greater confidence for tenants that the homes they rent meet key legal requirements.”
MEANINGFUL BENEFITS
He adds: “The success of any regulatory system depends on trust, transparency and effective enforcement.
“These proposals have the potential to deliver meaningful benefits for tenants, landlords and agents alike, provided they remain focused on raising standards, targeting non-compliance and avoiding unnecessary duplication.
“Propertymark looks forward to continuing to work with the Department for Communities and local authorities to ensure the scheme delivers practical improvements for the private rented sector.”
