NI councils take charge of landlord registration scheme

Northern Ireland’s councils have taken control of the Landlord Registration Scheme which should boost housing oversight, the communities minister says.

Launched in February 2014, the initiative established a central database capturing details of private landlords, ensuring access to current and precise property data.

The communities minister, Gordon 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.”

Northern Ireland’s PRS

Mr Lyons added: “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 transition of duties to local councils took place on 1 March, with Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council spearheading the effort as the coordinating authority for the region’s 11 councils.

Lyons praised the collaborative framework and said: “Our councils already do great work across Northern Ireland and are partners when it comes to delivering for people in a range of areas.

“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.”

PRS landlords who had engaged

The minister went on to congratulate those PRS landlords who had engaged with the process and added: “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.”

User-friendly online platform

David Burns, the chief executive of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, welcomed the move, saying it was a ‘significant milestone’.

He added: “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.”

Mr Burns also highlighted a newly developed, user-friendly online platform, crafted with the Department for Communities, which simplifies property registration and helps landlords stay informed about regulatory updates, ultimately benefiting both property owners and tenants.