People who rent out their properties will have to provide details for a Northern Ireland register for the first time, under new government plans just proposed.

There's an event being organised tonight to detail the scheme as part of an education programme to ensure landlords and tenants are aware of their respective rights and responsibilities.

The plans are part of a new private rented strategy, entitled 'Building Sound Foundations'.

The NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie is to bring proposals to the Stormon t Assembly later this year with a view to the measures becoming law in spring 2011.

She said that one in six dwellings in Northern Ireland were now in the private rented sector and it was "hugely important" to ensure it was properly regulated.

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"The introduction of a landlord register will help ensure that all private landlords are held accountable, that they are made aware of their responsibilities, and also of their rights," she said.

"The strategy will also ensure a higher standard of home in the private rented sector, and that those more vulnerable people living in private rented homes are better supported to help them sustain tenancies."

Grainne Long from The Chartered Institute of Housing welcomed the new strategy and said it supported the department's plans for a tenancy deposit scheme "which will provide protection for both landlord and tenant should a dispute arise".

The Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 is the law which governs the sector.

For those involved in the private rented sector, there is an opportunity for to find out more about it this evening.

The free event takes place at 6.00 pm on Wednesday 24 March in the Island Civic Centre, Lisburn.

Light refreshments will be served, and the first speaker will take the floor at 6.30 pm. The event will end at 8.00 pm.

The programme will cover the law governing private tenancies and what this means for landlords; useful information about the role and responsibilities of the Department for Social Development and local councils and - drawing on practical experience gained to date - tips and advice for landlords on a wide range of issues and practice.

(BMcC/GK)