Tenants to benefit from landlord licensing scheme

A new scheme is to be introduced that will see standards of accommodation raised for thousands of tenants in Northern Ireland.

Launched by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) on Monday 26 November, the initiative takes the form of a voluntary licensing scheme which aims to see landlords improve the standard of privately rented accommodation.

Chairman of the Housing Executive, Mr Sid McDowell, said that he hoped the scheme would “make a real contribution” to raising standards and to delivering the type of accommodation that private tenants have the right to expect. Furthermore, he said he believed the initiative would familiarise landlords, tenants and all concerned with the issue of licensing ahead of the introduction of a new mandatory scheme on the concept, to be highlighted in a forthcoming Draft Housing Order.

"While many private landlords do provide an acceptable standard of accommodation some landlords do not. Private sector tenants have the right to live in property that is free from unfitness and that includes up-to-date fire safety measures," he added. "I believe that this Landlord's Licence will become a hallmark of quality in the private rented sector as well as improving communications and co-operation between tenants, landlords and regulatory authorities."

The licences are to be issued to everyone leasing property who falls into the multiple occupation (HMO) category, and it is thought that over 30,000 tenants will benefit from the guidelines, with students representing at least half that figure.

Brian Slevin, from the National Union of Students in Ireland, commented: "We welcome this important initiative as a step towards introducing a mandatory licensing scheme and look forward to working with the Housing Executive, landlords and other agencies to improve Health and Safety standards in the HMO sector." (CL)