Testing time for landlords
Sunday, April 08, 2007
By Stephen Breen
Ulster's growing army of private landlords face an MOT-style test on their
buy-to-let properties.
The new Private Tenancies (NI) Order 2006 came into force from April 1,
requiring landlords to have a Certificate of Fitness from their local
council for any rental property built before 1945.
It is estimated there are now 50,000 private rental homes in Northern
Ireland and the new law is intended to weed out potential 'Rigsbys'.
The Department for Social Development says the new law aims to reward the
efforts of landlords who wish to provide good-quality housing for their
tenants.
It is also aimed at removing restrictions which would hamper the development
of good-quality, privately rented housing.
Some of the main features are:
- New tenancies will be defined according to their fitness for human
habitation - an unfit tenancy will be subject to rent control until it
is made fit.
- Councils will inspect tenancies for fitness and are being given new
powers to ensure that unfitness and serious disrepair are addressed.
- Controlled rents will be based on a number of factors including the
condition of the property, the equivalent Housing Executive rent for a
similar dwelling and the general level of rents in the area. The level
of rent will be set by the Rent Officer for Northern Ireland. A new
website provides detailed information on all aspects of the law relating
to the private rented sector (see www.rentofficer-ni.gov.uk). Tenants
will also be entitled to have a written tenancy statement from landlords.
