Landlords and letting agents in Northern Ireland are being encouraged to register their views on a plan to give local councils control of the country’s registration scheme.

Its Department for Communities has launched a short survey on the proposal to transfer responsibility for  the Landlord Registration Scheme from the department to local authorities, meaning council officials will be able to see how compliant agents and landlords are more transparently, but also get more involved directly in overseeing the sector.

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

Drive up standards

Propertymark says that alongside the introduction of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, it is likely the scheme will be used differently, and the fee used to drive up standards across the private rented sector.

The scheme collects and maintains information on landlords and their properties, and by law all private landlords in Northern Ireland must register.

This is an important opportunity for agents and their landlords to input into the changes.”

Henry Griffith, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Propertymark, says: “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.”

Letting agents and landlords are encouraged to respond before 4 September here.

A landlord registration scheme is also planned for England and is expected within the looming Renters’ Rights Bill.