Councils take over Landlord Registration Scheme
Date published:
Northern Ireland councils will take over the Landlord Registration Scheme, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced.
The Scheme, which was introduced in February 2014, created a single database of registered private landlords, in order that up-to-date and accurate information would be available on landlords and their properties.
Minister Lyons said:
“When I launched the Executive Housing Supply Strategy, I highlighted the need for a joined-up approach to the challenges we face. Its vision – that everyone has access to a good quality, affordable, sustainable home which is appropriate to their needs – applies equally to all tenures.
“The private rented sector makes up a significant portion of housing in Northern Ireland. In transferring the operation of the Landlord Registration Scheme to councils, it gives stewardship to the organisations who are best placed to identify and deal with issues in communities.”
The functions of the Landlord Registration Scheme will be transferred to local councils on 1 March 2025, with Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council taking the lead and acting as the host council for all of Northern Ireland.
The Minister added:
“Our councils already do great work across Northern Ireland and are partners when it comes to delivering for people in a range of areas. Going forward, I am pleased this partnership has developed further in relation to housing matters and compliance.
“As we work collectively to address housing need, effort involves a range of sectors, as well as government at all levels. The transfer of the Scheme is an excellent opportunity to show what can be achieved when central and local government work together collaboratively to improve services.”
The Minister concluded by acknowledging the landlords who have engaged with the process so far:
“Many landlords already comply with the requirement to register, they find the Scheme provides them with a key tool for keeping up to date with essential information, and in particular changes to legislation which may affect them.
"I would like all landlords in the sector to recognise and comply with their responsibilities to their tenants. The transfer of the Scheme will help to achieve this goal.”
David Burns, Chief Executive of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, which has been appointed the lead council for managing the Landlord Registration Scheme for all 11 councils in Northern Ireland said:
“Today marks a significant milestone, the transfer of functions of the Landlord Registration Scheme to local councils. By bringing together information, advice and services that landlords need we are essentially providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ where they can access guidance, understand their obligations, and demonstrate compliance.
"Working in collaboration with the Department for Communities a new user friendly online system has been developed offering landlords in Northern Ireland a simpler way to register their properties and navigate changing regulations which will provide a strengthened service to both landlords and renters alike.”
For further information please see nidirect or landlord registration ni
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption 1 - Communities Minister Gordon Lyons with David Burns, Chief Executive of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council mark the transfer of the Landlord Registration Scheme. Photo caption 2 - Marking the transfer of the Landlord Registration Scheme are David Burns, Chief Executive of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and the Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Kurtis Dickson
- The 2021 census suggests that just over 17% of NI households are private renters. That is equivalent to about 307,000 people across about 132,000 households.
- All landlords who let private residential accommodation are required to register with the Scheme. Registration costs £70 for an online application (£80 for paper based), lasts for three years and covers multiple properties. Failure to comply with the requirement to register may mean a fixed penalty notice or fine of up to £2,500.
- As well as providing a comprehensive database, the Landlord Registration has raised standards and improved tenancy management within the sector. It provides a more accurate basis for:
• Councils to progress enforcement of, and compliance with, private rented sector legislation;
• The promotion of good practice by allowing guidance, advice and support to reach a wider audience; and
• Assisting in the formulation of policy in the sector by providing a basis for ongoing effectiveness of current legislation which will inform future policy development. - The Landlord Registration Scheme offers benefits to landlords such as access to tailored advice and information from the Landlord Helpline and assistance with tenancy dispute resolution through Housing Mediation. Tenants can use the online facility to check if their landlord is registered with the Scheme.
- For media enquiries please contact the Department for Communities Press Office
- Follow the Department on Twitter/X @CommunitiesNI
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.