Dickson Welcomes Guidance for Private Landlords and Tenants

East Antrim Alliance MLA, Stewart Dickson, has welcomed guidance recently issued by the Department for Communities for private landlords and tenants during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The guidance covers issues such as difficulty paying rent, carrying out emergency repairs, and information on minimising moves within rented accommodation and eviction proceedings.

Mr Dickson commented: “The huge economic impact of Covid-19 has been felt by many in the private rented sector across Northern Ireland. For a considerable time, many private tenants, as well as landlords, found themselves unsure how to respond to challenges brought by the Covid-19 Pandemic, as a lot of the information and support was based around mortgages. However, this new information will help to guide a way forward for many, and I welcome the Communities Minister’s introduction that states that “Officials continue to work on urgent legislation to provide additional protections for private rented tenants from eviction during the Covid-19 outbreak”.

“Ultimately, those who can, must stay home to stay safe, and therefore it is vital that people have access to secure and safe housing and I hope this guidance will help ensure that.”

The guidance can be accessed here.