AQW 4095/16-21

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 27/09/2016
Answered On Date: 07/10/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities what recent assessment his Department has made on homes in the private rented sector in relation to (i) gas safety; (ii) domestic electrical distribution safety; (iii) the provision of fire safety measures; and (iv) the provision of carbon monoxide safety measures.

Answer:

My officials are carrying out a review of the role and regulation of the private rented sector. The provision of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and 5 year electrical checks are some of the issues being considered as part of this review. Proposals for change resulting from the review will be published for consultation in the coming months.

My Department has responsibility for determining the statutory housing fitness standard which contains measures aimed at ensuring that dwellings across all tenures, including the private rented sector, are fit for human habitation.

My officials are currently undertaking a review of the housing fitness standard and are examining the areas of fire safety, electrical safety and the detection of carbon monoxide.

I expect to consult on proposals for the future of the housing fitness standard in early 2017.