Managing your tenancy

Landlord registration

All private landlords must register with the Department for Communities (DFC) Landlord Registration Scheme.

Registration lasts for three years, and landlords must re-register after each three-year period.

It costs £80, but if you register online you'll get a £10 discount.

If you are a tenant, you can check if your landlord is registered, and if they’re not you can report them to us to investigate. 

We enforce this scheme for DFC, and if a landlord fails to register or provides false information for registration we can issue them with a fixed penalty of up to £500, or take offenders to court where they could be fined up to £2,500.

If you need more advice, please visit www.housingadviceni.org (link opens in new window) or contact Housing Rights who have introduced a Landlord Helpline. The contact number is 028 9024 5640.

How to register

• Register online at www.nidirect.gov.uk/landlord
• Call 0300 200 7821 to request a form.
• Collect a registration form from our offices or Land & Property Services (Lanyon Plaza)

Rent books

If you let a privately rented house, you must provide your tenants with a rent book. 

Tenancy deposit scheme

Any deposit for a private tenancy taken by a landlord or agent must be protected in an approved tenancy deposit scheme. For more information visit the tenancy deposit scheme page.

For more information about your rights as a private tenant, visit Housing Advice NI.