How rent control is worked out

The Rent Officer works out the maximum rent that can be charged for any rent-controlled tenancy. Find out what factors are taken into account and how to apply for rent control.

What is the maximum rent I can be charged?

If your tenancy is rent-controlled, the maximum rent that can be charged is the rent worked out by the Rent Officer and entered on the rent register. This amount does not include rates.

What is taken into account in working out rent?

The following factors must be taken into account when making a rent determination:

the terms of your tenancy
the state of repair, especially if your property is either fit or unfit
the equivalent Housing Executive rent for a similar dwelling
the Local Reference Rent used by the Housing Executive for housing benefit purposes
the provision of any furnishings
the extent of any tenant neglect
the extent of any tenant improvements, for example providing heating

How do I apply for rent control

If you are the landlord or tenant of a protected tenancy and have not applied for a fitness certificate you can apply to have the Rent Officer determine a rent by completing the Direct Registration Form.

If you are the landlord or tenant of a protected tenancy and the circumstances of your tenancy have changed since the rent was last determined by the Rent Officer, complete the Further Determination of Rent form.

What happens when the rent is decided?

Once the Rent Officer has determined a rent, the landlord and tenant are notified. Both parties have 14 days to appeal this decision to the Rent Assessment Committee. If no appeal request is received, the Rent Officer’s decision takes effect. If a Rent Assessment Committee decides to change the Rent Officer’s decision, the new rent will take effect when the committee’s decision is notified to the Rent Officer and this rent is registered.

Only protected or statutory tenancies can request a further review of the registered rent where there has been a change of circumstances in relation to the tenancy.

Appealing against the rent determined by the Rent Officer

If you are unhappy with the rent which has been determined by the Rent Officer, you have 14 days in which to apply to a Rent Assessment Committee. The Committee will carry out a review of the Rent Officer's decision and may confirm or vary the amount of rent which will be registered. The Rent Officer will send you details of how to apply to a Rent Assessment Committee along with details of the rent which has been determined.

The Rent Officer contact details can be found below:

Rent Officer for Northern Ireland
The Lighthouse Building
1 Cromac Place
Gasworks Business Park
Ormeau Road
Belfast
BT7 2JB

Telephone: 028 9082 9262
Fax: 028 9082 9343
Email: info@rentofficer-ni.gov.uk
Email: info.rentofficer@dsdni.gov.uk

What if my rent changes and I get Housing Benefit?

If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit you should let the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) office that deals with your Housing Benefit know that your rent is changing.