AQW 45815/11-15 Written question to the Minister for Social Development
To ask the Minister for Social Development whether his Department monitors non-compliance with tenancy deposit scheme requirements; and if so, to detail the number of prosecutions or fines imposed since 2013.
Asked by Stewart Dickson MLA on 15 May 2015
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 15 May 2015
- Answer due by
- 2 June 2015
- Answered
- 1 June 201517 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The Tenancy Deposit Schemes Regulations (NI) 2012 came into effect on 1 April 2013. Council environmental health departments are responsible for enforcement action where a landlord / agent does not comply with the law.
My Department monitors non compliance on a quarterly basis and is aware that standard council practice is to issue warning letters before issuing a fixed penalty.
Since the introduction of the Tenancy Deposit Schemes in April 2013 there have been 4 fixed penalties, 2 of which resulted in court referrals.