The Infrastructure Minister has confirmed that the Landlord Registration (Private Housing) Act 2021 still has no agreed commencement date.
Answering questions from Gary Clueit MLC, Tim Crookall MHK said his department is still working with DEFA to finalise operational arrangements and draft regulations before the Act can be brought into force.
He said the legislation will mainly introduce a formal registration requirement, as most minimum standards already exist under current law.
Crookall revealed that 291 dwellings and 144 landlords are currently on the voluntary register, but acknowledged that additional tenant protections cannot be enforced until the Act is implemented.
Members pressed him on repeated delays, with Juan Watterson MHK noting that draft regulations were circulated five years ago, and Lawrie Hooper MHK highlighting a constituent’s “extremely inappropriate” rental property as evidence the current system is failing tenants.
Crookall accepted the concerns, saying officers have limited capacity but work is ongoing. He said the department hopes to have arrangements in place by the end of this year, though he conceded he is “not content” with the pace.
You can listen to the full exchange below:
