AQW 45814/11-15

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 15/05/2015
Answered On Date: 01/06/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Social Development whether his Department has assessed the need for further statutory powers to provide for more effective regulation of the private rental sector.

Answer:

My Department is currently undertaking a review of the role and regulation of the Private Rented Sector. Part of this review includes evaluating the effectiveness of existing regulation and considering regulatory practice in other jurisdictions. A discussion document will issue before Summer to garner views. A consultation paper, on proposals for change, will issue before the end of 2015. Any legislation that will need to be introduced will be taken forward during 2016/17.

Regulation, in order to be fully effective, requires robust enforcement. Better regulation does not necessarily mean ‘more’ but can mean enhanced focus on enforcement of existing regulation.

A key aim of the review will be to clarify the Department’s approach to regulation.