Call for Input on Forthcoming Private Tenancies Bill

Thursday 21st October 2021

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Communities has asked us to pass on the following call for input from private rental tenants on the forthcoming Private Tenancies Bill.

The Assembly’s Committee for Communities is inviting all private rental tenants to respond to a ‘Call for Views’ on the new Private Tenancies Bill, which focuses on the role and regulation of the private rented housing sector.

If passed, this new Bill will provide tenants with better protection by ensuring landlords and agents meet regulations about the quality and safety of the accommodation offered. It also seeks to safeguard tenants by ensuring a legislative requirement for written tenancy agreements, restrictions on rent increases and an increase in the eviction notice period.

Tenants, or those with an interest in this area, can complete as much or as little of the online survey as they feel relevant to them. A PDF copy of the survey can be downloaded, but we ask that responses are input on-line where possible.

The Committee acknowledges that this Bill has a focused remit and does not address all of the issues covered in the proposals but hopes it will assist in making the private rented sector a safer and more secure housing option for a wider range of households.

The closing date for responses is Friday 29 October 2021.

The Committee’s ‘Call for Views’ and further information on how to respond can be accessed on the Northern Ireland Assembly website here.