PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR
Private Tenancies Order
The Council is now responsible for regulating the fitness of privately rented accommodation. Officers from the Environmental Health Service can inspect your property to ensure it is fit to be lived in, assessing matters such as stability, disrepair and ventilation.
Advice for Landlords/Agents
If you own (or act as letting agent) for a property built before 1945, you may be obliged to apply to the Council for a 'Certificate of Fitness'. You can find out if you need to apply by contacting the Environmental Health Service on 02891 824052, or you can find more information at http://www.rentofficer-ni.gov.uk . An application to have your property inspected can be found here below. Please note there is a £50 fee for this inspection, but you may be breaking the law by failing to apply.
Further advice on the legislation can be obtained from the Department for Social Development's Private Rented Sector Newsletter, which can be downloaded in PDF format below :-
Advice for Tenants
If you live in rented housing it should meet the housing fitness standard, no matter when it was built. If you have any concerns about the condition of your property or have any other queries, please contact one of the following Officers.
Contact Gary Gordon on 028 9182 4051 or Gareth Kinnear on 028 9182 4057 or Sarah Greenaway on 028 9182 4053.
Further advice on your rights as a tenant can be found in the following guidance.
Basic Rights of Tenants Top Tips
Other sources of information:
Housing Advice NI - a web site for tenants with information on safety in rented accommodation, tenants' rights and responsibilities, landlords' rights and responsibilities.
Related Pages:
Environmental Health Service
Public Health Nuisances
Download an Application for Certificate of fitness here:
