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What is rent control?

Rent control is when a maximum rent is set on a property that is privately rented. Find out about the types of rent controlled tenancy.

Types of rent controlled tenancy

There are two types of rent controlled tenancy:

  • unfit private tenancies starting after 1 April 2007
  • all protected and statutory tenancies

Unfit private tenancies starting after 1 April 2007

A rented property should meet the fitness standards.  If it does not meet this standard it is classed as unfit. Where a district council inspects a private tenancy and finds it to be unfit, the Rent Officer will determine the maximum rent which can be charged. This rent will apply until the property is made fit and a Certificate of Fitness is issued.

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
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Fitness Inspections

All private tenancies commencing after 1 April 2007 must have a fitness inspection conducted by the district council unless the dwelling is exempt. Certain properties are exempt from fitness inspections.

Environmental Health Officers (EHO) from the council will carry out inspections to determine whether a property is fit or unfit and will issue a notice accordingly. When carrying out these inspections the EHO will copy all appropriate information to the Rent Officer to enable him to work out the appropriate rent.

The duty to apply for a fitness inspection rests with the landlord but a tenant can re-apply if a certificate of Fitness has been issued on the property but it later becomes unfit.

Properties exempt from Fitness Inspections

A property is exempt from the requirement to have a fitness inspection if it comes under any of the following categories:

  • it was built after 1945 (this is the age of the building, not the age of any subsequent conversion)
  • a regulated rent certificate was issued on the property within the past 10 years
  • a renovation grant was paid by the Housing Executive within the past 10 years
  • a houses in multiple occupation grant was paid by the Housing Executive within the past 10 years
  • it is currently registered with the Housing Executive as an house in multiple occupation

Find out more about houses in multiple occupation.

For a list of properties that are rent-controlled visit the online Rent Register.

Protected and statutory tenancies

If your tenancy started before 1 April 2007, you may have a protected or statutory tenancy. This type of tenancy offers the most security against eviction and rent increases. The type of tenancy you have depends on when the tenancy started.

Protected and statutory tenancies are subject to rent control. Any such tenancy which is prescribed is assumed to be fit.  Any tenancy which is not prescribed is assumed to be unfit, until it is inspected and a Certificate of Fitness is issued by the district council.

For a list of properties that are rent-controlled visit the online Rent Register.

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