AQW 10149/22-27

Mrs Ciara Ferguson
Sinn Féin
Foyle

Tabled Date: 16/04/2024
Answered On Date: 29/04/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail his Department's consideration of removing the barriers to housing access for people in the private rented sector, particularly in relation to estate agent requests for homeowner guarantors for all applicants, regardless of their income and employment status.

Answer:

Large up-front costs including deposits are a barrier for many people accessing the private rented sector.

To help address this issue, my Department introduced legislation to restrict landlords from asking for or holding a deposit for more than one month’s rent. This legislation was operational from 01 April 2023 and therefore covers tenancy agreements made on or after this date.

Of course, deposits are not the only cost for those accessing and living in the PRS. At present, some letting agents charge a wide range of fees to both prospective and existing tenants, including credit check fees, application fees and other administrative fees. My Department has commissioned research to aid considerations on potential letting agent regulation including banning of fees, as a way of further reducing the affordability barrier. The research report is scheduled to be provided to my Department by the end of June.

My Department has no responsibility for guarantors nor does private tenancies legislation stipulate the need for guarantors.