Private Tenancies Act - Payment Options Survey

Overview

Section 12 of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 contains the provision for the Department for Communities (DfC) to introduce regulations regarding requiring landlords to offer tenants a choice of payment methods for rent and other payments relating to their tenancy.

During the Communities Committee scrutiny stage of the Private Tenancies Bill (now the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022), the Committee heard evidence that some landlords would only accept cash for rent and other payments. The Committee felt strongly that tenants should be offered a choice of payment methods and not be expected/required to carry large sums of cash in order to make payments to landlords.

Why your views matter

The aim of the survey is to seek evidence to help the Department determine how much of an issue this is for private tenants and landlords.  Responses will then inform a decision on whether Regulations are required and, if so, the content of the regulations.

The Department will consider the responses received and, following that, publish a report on the Departmental website, which will set out an analysis of responses and the Department’s next steps.

For more information about what we do with personal data please see our consultation privacy notice.

The information you provide in completing this survey will be controlled and processed in line with Data Protection Legislation by the Department. To find out more about how we handle your personal information, DfC’s Privacy Notice can be viewed online at DfC Privacy Notice. 

In order to facilitate the survey, Citizen Space, which is not operated by DfC, is used as a data processor. Details of Citizen Space's privacy policy can be found online at Citizen Space Privacy Policy. 

Further information

In responding to this survey please do not submit any sensitive personal data or information. You are under no obligation to provide personal details in responding to this survey.

We will only use your information for the purposes of analysis of feedback to this survey.