Communities Minister has today launched a public
consultation on the Private Tenancies (Notice to Quit)
Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025.
The introduction of these Regulations is necessary to allow
significantly longer notice to quit periods to apply in Northern
Ireland for the benefit of tenants in the private rented sector.
The Minister said the consultation is part of his programme of
housing reform to improve standards and conditions for tenants in
the private rented sector.
Outlining the consultation, Minister Lyons said: “This is
the next phase of the implementation of the Private Tenancies Act
(NI) 2022 and the consultation builds on previous work to improve
health and safety standards in private rented properties. The
longer notice periods will greatly increase the security of
tenure for individuals and families living in the private rented
sector.”
Before the longer notice periods become law, the Department must
set out regulations for those circumstances in which shorter
notice to quit periods are appropriate. This is to ensure a
balanced approach to private rented sector reform, including that
human rights, namely those relating to property and family life
are properly taken into account. This consultation, which seeks
feedback on the regulations, guidance and an Equality Impact
Assessment, looks at four main areas:
- circumstances where longer notice periods would not apply;
- the shorter notice periods associated with each circumstance
as set out in the regulations;
- suggestions for evidence to validate a shorter notice to
quit; and
- potential mitigating measures to help ensure that shorter
notice to quit periods do not adversely impact on vulnerable
groups within our society.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks from 5 January to 29 March
2026. This consultation is aimed at tenants, landlords and their
representatives, district councils and anyone else with an
interest in the private rented sector in Northern Ireland.
More information regarding the consultation, including how to
respond can be found at https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-notice-quit-periods.
Notes to Editors
- There are approximately over 130,000 properties in the
private rented sector in Northern Ireland (Date 2025).
