Views sought on technical regulations in Private Tenancies Act

The Department for Communities is seeking views as it implements the next stages of the Private Tenancies Act.

Two consultations have been launched on the out-workings of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 in shaping the technical regulations relating to:

• Section 8 - The provision of sufficient smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide alarms.
• Section 10 - Introducing 5-yearly safety checks of a property’s hard-wired electrical installation.

The purpose of the consultations is to assess whether the regulations deliver a sound legislative framework (in context of boundaries in the 2022 Act) to improve health and safety standards in private rented properties, and that the accompanying Guidance Notes are easy to follow and provide the necessary information for all stakeholder groups. 

The Smoke, Heat and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Regulations set the standards for the number and type of alarms to be installed in private rented properties and aim to reduce the risk of fire related incidents. It is intended these Regulations will come into force next year. 

The Electrical Safety Standards Regulations will introduce the requirement, at a future date, for electrical checks of a property’s electrical hard-wired installation by a qualified electrician. These Regulations aim to reduce the risks of injury due to electrical faults.

The consultations are open to all, but views are particularly sought from landlords, tenants and stakeholders in industries which may be impacted by the regulations.

Both consultations are open until Wednesday,  December 6.
 

Notes to editors: 

1. The consultations can be accessed through the following links:

Section 8 - the provision of sufficient smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide alarms:
https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-private-tenancies-act-2022-section-8-smoke-heat-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms

Section 10 - introducing 5-yearly safety checks of a property’s hard-wired electrical installation:
https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-private-tenancies-act-2022-section-10-electrical-safety-standards

2. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office on email press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk

3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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