Coronavirus Northern Ireland: Bill to protect private renters passed by Assembly | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Coronavirus Northern Ireland: Bill to protect private renters passed by Assembly

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has thanked Assembly members for swiftly passing legislation to strengthen protection to private renters during the COVID-19 crisis.

Embed from Getty Images

 

The Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill was introduced into the Assembly 21 April 2020 and had its final stage yesterday, Tuesday 28 April.

 

 

It will mean that landlords will be required to give tenants a 12-week notice to quit period, ensuring tenancies are protected throughout this period.

Speaking to Newry Times, Minister Hargey said, “It was necessary to introduce measures to help prevent households having to leave their homes.

“This legislation will protect private renters, securing their accommodation, allowing them to protect their health and reducing the movement of people. 

“It will enable vulnerable people to shield, self-isolate and social distance. 

 

 

“Private renters continue to be a group facing significant concerns and anxiety during this period in particular due to loss of employment.

“In these extraordinary times people who may temporarily struggle to pay their rent through no fault of their own, need certainty in the meantime that their homes are safe and that their landlords can’t evict them,” she continued.

 

 

“This legislation will ensure that no renter in private accommodation will be forced out of their home during this difficult time.

“Landlords will now be required to give tenants 12 weeks’ notice to quit before seeking a court order to begin proceedings to evict.”

The Minister added, “I would like to thank all the Assembly members and the Communities Committee for their support and help in getting this legislation through so quickly as well all the supporting officials in the Department and Assembly. 

 

 

“Everyone has understood why it is urgent and gone above and beyond to prepare and process the Bill quickly.”

 

Keep up to date with all the latest Northern Ireland Coronavirus / Covid-19 news HERE

 

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=70644

Posted by on Apr 29 2020. Filed under Coronavirus. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Leave a Reply







Find us on Facebook

Log in | Designed by Gabfire themes