Landlords in Northern Ireland could soon face more stringent rental reforms than those in England, if a Private Members’ Bill gains traction.

The People’s Housing Bill - introduced by Assembly Member Gerry Carroll (main image)- includes rent controls, a ban on no-fault evictions, minimum tenancy length of five years, and a new rental board - tasked with enforcing minimum fitness standards and fair rent practices – along with powers to bring more than 22,000 vacant properties back into use as social homes.

Tenants’ group Generation Rent has urged the Assembly that any solution must contain a cap on rent increases either at inflation or wage growth, whichever is lower.

It also wants a ban on no-fault evictions and enhanced notice periods of at least four months, as well as access to an independent ombudsman to lodge complaints about landlord negligence.

It says renters should also expect prompt council intervention around unsafe living conditions, including taking over property management and banning non-compliant landlords, and the assurance that their homes meet at least a minimum EPC rating of C.

Protections

Generation Rent adds: “By integrating these vital tenant protections with proactive measures to increase housing supply, we believe Northern Ireland can transform its rental market into one that’s fair, sustainable, and truly in the service of its people.”

In a debate on the Bill earlier this year, Carroll described the PRS as an “under-regulated Wild West” where landlords hold disproportionate power.

Housing Minister Gordon Lyons argued that the root of the crisis lay in constrained housing supply and vowed to reform the PRS and enforce stricter landlord registration. By law, all private landlords in Northern Ireland must register with the Landlord Registration Scheme.

The public consultation ended in January and Carroll is due to submit a final proposal to the Assembly Speaker, which Generation Rent believes will likely reduce the number of measures the Bill seeks to change, to improve its chances of success.

Read more about The People's Housing Bill.