Have your say on the private rented sector

Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, is encouraging people to attend a public event in Londonderry where they can have their say on the private rented sector.

Publishing a recent discussion document, the Minister said the private rented sector has grown over the years and, with that growth, there has also been an increased focus on how the sector is regulated.

The public event will be held in the City Hotel on 26 November at 7pm where attendees can share their thoughts on a number of questions under four main themes to help shape future policy.

These include:

• Role of the private rented sector – what support is appropriate for both landlords and tenants?
• Supply and investment – should the private rented sector have a role in addressing housing supply and, if so, should government incentivise growth and investment?
• Housing and tenancy management – what, if any changes, are needed to current regulation?
• Property standards – should there be improvements made to current property standards?

If you would like to attend this event you should register at Landlords' Association for Northern Ireland website or by email housing.policy@dsdni.gov.uk by 25 November 2015.

Inviting local people to give their views Minister Storey said: “The private rented sector is helping to meet housing need and provide an important housing option for a range of individuals and families. Landlords who are currently registered have provided details of some 94,000 private tenancies. My Department has done a lot in recent years to improve regulation of the sector, but with its growth, the time is right to review the role of the sector and to consider the effectiveness of current regulation.”

The Minister continued: “In carrying out this review I am particularly conscious that we have to strike the appropriate balance between protecting tenants and not over burdening landlords, who in the main, provide good quality, well managed accommodation. It is therefore important for those with an interest to respond.”

View the consultation document. Responses can be made up to 5 February 2016.

The next step in the consultative process will involve a public consultation on proposals on the way forward.

Notes to editors: 

Media enquiries should be directed to the DSD Press Office on 028 9082 9233 or email: press.office@dsdni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.

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