The Department for Communities in Northern Ireland (main image) has launched a short survey to gather views from letting agents and landlords on its proposed Landlord Registration Scheme changes.

The survey asks about the current service, online registration process and available guidance.

Letting agents and landlords are encouraged to response before the deadline of 4 September 2024 on the department's website.

Propertymark is a member of the Landlord Registration Scheme Transfer Programme Stakeholder Reference Panel and has attended meetings with the Department for Communities and key stakeholders on future plans to transfer control of the Landlord Registration Scheme from the Department to local authorities.

Alongside the introduction of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 it is likely that the Scheme will be utilised differently, and the associated fee used to drive up standards across the private rented sector.

Legal requirement

The Landlord Registration Scheme collects and maintains accurate information on landlords and their properties. By law, all private landlords in Northern Ireland must register with the Landlord Registration Scheme.

Commenting, Henry Griffith (pictured), Policy and Campaigns Officer at Propertymark, said: “We know that there are plans to transfer the Landlord Registration function from the Department for Communities to local authorities.

"Therefore, this is an important opportunity for agents and their landlords to input into the changes and shape the future of the Scheme. Should the requirements of the Scheme be extended they must be proportionate and ensure that councils have the capacity to enforce them.”

Northern Ireland is not alone in launching a national registration scheme for landlords and their properties. It was proposed within the Tory's now defunct Renters (Reform) Bill and has been resurrected by Labour within its expected Renters Rights Bill next month covering England and Wales.