AQW 15400/17-22

Mr Mark Durkan
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Foyle

Tabled Date: 25/02/2021
Answered On Date: 09/03/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the legislation to improve the safety, security and quality of the Private Rented Sector; and whether this will include a mandatory requirement for private landlords to carry out electrical safety checks.

Answer:

Work is progressing to introduce a Private Rented Bill which will include measures to improve the safety, security and quality of the Private Rented Sector.

Currently under the Private Tenancies Order 2006 a private landlord has a duty to keep in repair and in proper working order the installations of rental property for the supply and use of electricity and any appliances for making use of the electrical supply which the landlord has provided under the terms of the tenancy.

My Department proposes to make a new enabling provision that will impose duties on landlords to carry out a periodic electrical check for any domestic private rented property – as a result landlords will be prevented from commencing a new lease without the certification of an electrical check.