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Alliance Housing spokesperson Kellie Armstrong MLA has urged the Communities Minister to strengthen protections for people living in the private rented sector and to bring an end to no-fault evictions.
The Strangford MLA was speaking following the launch of the minister's consultation on Notice to Quit Periods.
Ms Armstrong said: "In Northern Ireland, over 300,000 people are living in the local private rented sector, many who are burdened with the constant worry of trying to keep a roof over their head. They deserve the same protections and security enjoyed by renters elsewhere.
"I welcome the consultation on regulations to deliver minimum notice to quit periods as set out in the Private Tenancies Act 2022, and I'd encourage people to respond and give their thoughts on both the length of the notice to be provided and the proposed exemptions landlords may use if a tenant is engaged in serious anti-social or criminal behaviour.
"I continue to have concern, even if the notice period a landlord must give a tenant before terminating a tenancy is extended, landlords still retain the ability to initiate no-fault evictions. This is one of the most pressing issues facing tenants today.
"Alliance has consistently campaigned for renters' rights and last year launched our policy paper 'A New Deal for Renters', which outlined our proposals to increase the security of tenure for individuals and families living in the private rented sector. This included a proposal to see an end to no-fault evictions.
"Private renters in Northern Ireland face constant challenges on a regular basis, and my Alliance colleagues and I will continue to call on the Communities Minister and his department to implement meaningful changes that will protect the security of tenants. Only then can we alleviate the daily struggles faced by thousands of private renters across Northern Ireland."
The consultation seeks views on proposals to introduce minimum notice periods for tenants under the Private Tenancies Act 2022, including possible exemptions in cases involving serious anti-social or criminal behaviour.
