Minister's Overhaul Of Private Rental Sector

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has launched, for consultation, a new strategy to overhaul the private rental housing sector in Northern Ireland.

This is the first time government backed initiative ever to address the private rented sector.

Launching the consultation Ms Ritchie said the housing sector "needs to be overhauled".

Ms Ritchie said: "There are landlords whose management of tenancies is poor, whose properties are not up to scratch and who don't always know, or comply, with the law. Thankfully these landlords are in the minority. We have put an enormous amount of work into devising the first ever comprehensive strategy for the sector and we now want to get the views of the public.

"I want to work with landlords and help them become more competent and more professional. In turn they can make a great contribution to meeting housing need. However, for those who continue to flout the law, I want to ensure that appropriate action is taken."

The Minister believes the private rented sector can play a greater role in meeting housing need. Tackling problem landlords who do not comply with the law and protecting the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, are key stepping stones to making the sector stronger.

Key ideas being put out for consultation include a central scheme for tenants' deposits so that landlords cannot simply refuse to pay back deposits without good reason, a Government deposit guarantee for vulnerable people, and an independent body to manage disputes between landlords and tenants.

Ms Ritchie added that the new strategy could help vulnerable households, she said: "Many people find it difficult to find the money for deposits and many tenants and landlords end up in disputes about how much of this can be returned at the end of the tenancy. Others find the whole business of renting privately daunting and difficult. My proposals will tackle these problems."

(CD/JM)