Private landlords must be regulated – Ní Chuilín

North Belfast MLA Carál Ní Chuilín this week called for legislation to regulate private landlords throughout the North
Sinn Féin tabled a motion in the Assembly calling on Margaret Ritchie to act on introducing legislation in order to regulate private landlords throughout the North of Ireland.
Speaking following the motion Carál Ní Chuilín said:
"There can be no excuses for continuing to delay this important and much needed legislation. People across the Six Counties, and in particularly in areas like North Belfast are calling out for effective measures to regulate private landlords; this legislation will only serve to benefit landlords and their tenants.
"While there are many responsible landlords who would surely welcome mandatory registration, there are also unscrupulous landlords who charge extortionate rents, provide substandard and even dangerous accommodation and who prey on the vulnerable.
"For too long this sector has been unregulated and both statutory and voluntary registration has failed, leaving it to market forces to regulate the sector which has only made matters worse.
"Sinn Féin will continue to lobbying on this issue both inside and outside of the Assembly and looks forward to Minister making clear her proposals on the registration on private landlords."