The Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

Review of registered rents

55.—(1) The rent officer shall, if directed to do so by the Department, conduct a review of registered rents, with a view to determining whether those rents should be increased.

(2) A direction under paragraph (1) may require the rent officer to review the registered rent for all controlled tenancies or for controlled tenancies of such class or description as may be specified in the direction.

(3) When conducting a review the rent officer shall–

(a) take into account the general level of rents for dwelling-houses let by the Executive,

(b) the cost of repairs, and

(c) any other matter appearing to him to be relevant.

(4) Where the rent officer determines under paragraph (1) that any registered rents should be increased, he shall make a recommendation to that effect to the Department.

(5) Where the Department accepts a recommendation under paragraph (4), it shall make an order providing for the increase of those rents–

(a) by an amount recommended by the rent officer, or

(b) by such other amount as the Department, after consultation with the rent officer, considers appropriate.

(6) The amount of an increase may be expressed as a percentage.

(7) Where the Department makes an order under paragraph (5), the rent officer shall make such alterations in the register of rents as appear to him to be necessary in consequence of the order.