Propertymark has backed plans to strengthen Northern Ireland’s landlord registration regime, arguing that the proposed changes could improve enforcement and help identify landlords who fail to meet their legal obligations.
In its response to a consultation by the Department for Communities on amendments to the Landlord Registration Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014, the professional body said it supports measures aimed at making the register a more effective regulatory tool.
The proposals would require landlords to provide additional information when registering properties, including details relating to gas and electrical safety, energy performance certificates, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and fitness for human habitation standards.
Propertymark said feedback from its members in Northern Ireland showed broad support for most of the proposed reforms, although it also called for compliance requirements to be proportionate and straightforward for landlords and letting agents to administer.
Henry Griffith, policy officer at Propertymark, commented: “The vast majority of landlords and letting agents work hard to provide safe, compliant homes for tenants. Strengthening the Landlord Registration Scheme will help create a level playing field by making it easier to identify and take action against those who fail to meet the standards expected of them.
“A more effective registration system can improve compliance, support enforcement agencies and provide greater confidence for tenants that the homes they rent meet key legal requirements.”
Propertymark said its members strongly support requiring safety information as part of the registration process, with unanimous backing for mandatory gas safety certification. The organisation also supports greater information sharing with the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland to help enforce safety standards and identify non-compliant landlords.
While backing stronger enforcement, Propertymark said the focus should be on tackling poor practice without creating unnecessary administrative burdens for compliant landlords and agents.
The body also called for greater clarity over the role of letting agents in managing registration requirements and urged policymakers to allow agents to upload and manage compliance documents directly on behalf of landlords.
Propertymark suggested the scheme could reduce duplication by enabling landlords and agents to direct tenants to compliance information held within the register, rather than repeatedly providing the same documents.
It also supported the use of anonymised data for research and policy purposes, provided safeguards are in place to protect privacy, and welcomed plans to retain a public search function that verifies whether a property, landlord or agent is registered without revealing wider portfolio details.
Griffith added: “The success of any regulatory system depends on trust, transparency and effective enforcement. These proposals have the potential to deliver meaningful benefits for tenants, landlords and agents alike, provided they remain focused on raising standards, targeting non-compliance and avoiding unnecessary duplication.”
“Propertymark looks forward to continuing to work with the Department for Communities and local authorities to ensure the scheme delivers practical improvements for the private rented sector.”
