Agents’ trade body Propertymark is backing the idea of a landlord registration scheme, saying it will help raise standards, improve tenant safety, and create a fairer private rented sector.
The response has come to an official consultation by the Northern Ireland Department for Communities. A similar registration scheme may be on the way in England.
Propertymark has expressed broad support for measures that would transform the existing Northern Ireland register into what it calls “a more effective enforcement tool” to “help identify landlords and agents who fail to meet their legal obligations.”
The proposals would require additional information to be submitted as part of landlord registration, including evidence relating to gas safety, electrical safety, energy performance, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and fitness for human habitation standards.
Propertymark says its view was formed by feedback from member agents across Northern Ireland, with strong support recorded for the majority of the proposed changes.
Henry Griffith, policy officer at Propertymark, comments: “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.”
One of the strongest areas of support among Propertymark members was the proposal to require information relating to safety standards as part of the registration process. Gas safety certification received unanimous support from agents.
Propertymark also backed plans to share information with the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland to support gas safety enforcement, arguing that better coordination between agencies will help target non-compliant operators and improve standards across the sector.
The organisation believes that enhanced enforcement should focus on tackling poor practice while reducing unnecessary administrative burdens for compliant landlords and agents.
As part of its response, Propertymark calls for greater clarity around the role of letting agents in managing registration requirements where they oversee properties on behalf of landlords.
The professional body has urged policymakers to ensure agents can upload and manage compliance documents directly, helping to avoid confusion and improve efficiency.
Propertymark also highlights opportunities to reduce duplication by allowing landlords and agents to provide prospective tenants with links to compliance information held within the registration system, rather than repeatedly supplying the same documents.
Propertymark notes that some agents remain concerned about how data on landlords could be used in future and stressed the importance of robust safeguards to ensure individuals cannot be identified.
The organisation also welcomes confirmation that the public online search function will continue to verify whether a property, landlord or agent is registered without revealing wider portfolios or commercially sensitive information.
Griffith adds: “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.”
