Plans to overhaul the Northern Ireland private rental sector have been outlined by Housing Minister Margaret Ritchie.

The government has never addressed the issue until now, but Ms Ritchie said she is confident private rented sector can play a greater role in meeting housing need.

She said tackling problem landlords who do not comply with the law and protecting the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, are key stepping stones to making the sector stronger.

Ideas being put out for consultation include a central scheme for tenants' deposits so that landlords cannot simply refuse to pay back deposits without good reason, a Government deposit guarantee for vulnerable people, and an independent body to manage disputes between landlords and tenants.

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Ms Ritchie said: "The sector needs to be overhauled. There are landlords whose management of tenancies is poor, whose properties are not up to scratch and who don’t always know, or comply, with the law.

"Thankfully these landlords are in the minority. We have put an enormous amount of work into devising the first ever comprehensive strategy for the sector and we now want to get the views of the public."

The Minister said appropriate action would be taken against those who continue to flout the law.

"Others find the whole business of renting privately daunting and difficult. My proposals will tackle these problems," she said.

Proposals have now been put out for public consultation.

(PR/JM)