To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any plans he has to review private property rental sector regulations to make it easier for lower income households to find a home.

The first phase of the reform of the Private Rented Sector is encapsulated in the Private Tenancies Act (NI) 2022. This legislation already includes measures to help low-income households to access the sector by limiting the amount of deposit that a landlord can request or retain to no more than one month’s rent.

Of equal importance are those other measures derived from the Act which are focused on increasing the protections for tenants while living in a property, including my recent regulations to set the minimum standards for the installation of smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms, and those which my officials are currently developing to underpin electrical safety and to provide for much longer notice to quit periods.

My consideration of what needs to happen in Phase 2 of Private Rented Sector reform will be focused on what further measures I can take to help ensure that the Private Rented Sector offers a good housing option for those that need it.

My officials have already re-engaged with key stakeholders and reviewed what is happening in other jurisdictions as part of a policy refresh to inform the development of a draft plan for Phase 2 reform for my review. I will be meeting with officials in the near future to discuss this plan.