“This year my Department has introduced a new system of regulation for the private rented sector. It gives clear rights to tenants and places new obligations on landlords, with District Councils being given strong new powers to tackle rogue landlords and poor housing conditions.
“The law prevents unscrupulous landlords harassing tenants, offers new protections for tenants around notice periods and, importantly, places an obligation on landlords to give all tenants rent books and provide a written statement of tenancy terms. This will give, for the first time, all tenants the right to know the identity of their landlord and important written information on the terms of their tenancy. I am particularly concerned about the welfare of many of our new citizens who find themselves in private tenancies linked to their place of work.
“I’m sure all members will join with me in welcoming these important steps forward.”
On the issue of introducing a compulsory registration of all landlords, the Minister said she would examine opportunities for further improvements in regulating the private rented sector:
“The South and Scotland have taken different approaches to ours in regulating the private rented sector, with both adopting some forms of registration scheme. These schemes are relatively new.
“A registration scheme is a huge and costly task and as a responsible Minister, I am keen to learn the lessons from other places before I consider implementing a registration scheme here.”
Notes to Editors:
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