Northern Ireland: deadlines when you start a private tenancy

Counter 1: the tenancy information notice

Date the tenancy was granted

Source: The Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 as amended, Article 4A and Articles 5D and 5E, on legislation.gov.uk. Read 25 October 2026.

Article 4A(2): "The landlord under the tenancy must, within 28 days after the date on which the tenancy is granted, give to the tenant a notice—

(a) in the prescribed form, and

(b) containing the prescribed particulars and other prescribed information relating to the tenancy."

Article 4A(4): "A landlord who fails to comply with paragraph (2) is guilty of an offence under this Order."

Rent increases

Article 5D(1): "This Article applies to any private tenancy except a controlled tenancy (within the meaning given by Article 40(4))."

Article 5D(2): "The rent payable under a tenancy to which this Article applies may not be increased—

(a) within the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which the tenancy is granted, or

(b) within the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which the last increase took effect;

but this is subject to regulations under paragraph (3)."

Article 5E(4): "The date specified under paragraph (3)(a) must be not less than 3 months after the date on which the notice is given to the tenant."

legislation.gov.uk's commentary on Article 5D, read 25 October 2026, on when Articles 5C to 5E came into operation:

"Art. 5C-5E and cross-heading inserted (28.4.2022 for specified purposes, 1.4.2025 for specified purposes) by Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 20), ss. 7(2), 14(2)(c); S.R. 2025/39, art. 2, Sch."

Counter 2: the deposit

Date you received the deposit

Source: The Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 as amended, Article 5B and Article 68A, on legislation.gov.uk. Read 25 October 2026.

Article 5B(3): "Where a landlord receives a tenancy deposit in connection with a private tenancy, the initial requirements of an approved scheme must be complied with by the landlord in relation to the deposit within the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which it is received."

Article 5B(6): "The information required by paragraph (5) must be given to the tenant and any relevant person—

(a) in the prescribed form or in a form substantially to the same effect, and

(b) within the period of 35 days beginning with the date on which the deposit is received by the landlord."

Penalties, as the sources state them

Article 5B(11): "A person who contravenes any other provision of this Article is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £20,000."

Article 68A(7): "The fixed penalty payable to a district council under this Article in respect of an offence under Article 5B(11) in relation to a tenancy deposit received or required by a landlord is an amount equal to three times the amount of that tenancy deposit."

Source: nidirect, "Tenancy Deposit Scheme - information for tenants". Read 25 October 2026.

"When a council finds a landlord has broken the law over tenancy deposits, they can fine the landlord three times the amount of the deposit."

"The council can also prosecute a landlord for breaking the law. If convicted, a court can fine a landlord up to £20,000."

Counter 3: the electrical safety report

Date of the last electrical inspection and test

• For a new tenancy, the inspection must be done before the tenancy commences.
• A copy of the most recent report goes to any new tenant before they occupy the dwelling-house.
• A copy to the council is due within 7 days of its written request.

Source: The Electrical Safety Standards for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024, SR 2024/201, on legislation.gov.uk, in operation 1 April 2025. Read 25 October 2026.

Regulation 3(1)(c): the landlord must "ensure the first inspection and testing is carried out—

(i) before the tenancy commences in relation to a new private tenancy; or

(ii) by 1st December 2025 in relation to an existing private tenancy."

Regulation 3(2): "For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) “at regular intervals” means—

(a) at intervals of no more than 5 years; or

(b) where the most recent report under paragraph (3)(a) requires such inspection and testing to be at intervals of less than 5 years, at the intervals specified in that report."

Regulation 3(3)(b): the landlord must "supply a copy of that report to each existing tenant of the dwelling-house within 28 days beginning with the day on which the inspection and test is carried out;"

Regulation 3(3)(c): "supply a copy of that report to the council within 7 days beginning with the day on which a request is received in writing for it from the council;"

Regulation 3(3)(e): "supply a copy of the most recent report to—

(i) any new tenant before they occupy the dwelling-house; and

(ii) any prospective tenant within 28 days beginning with the day on which a request is received in writing for it from that prospective tenant."

Regulation 3(4): "Where a report under paragraph (3)(a) indicates that a landlord is or is potentially in breach of the duty under paragraph (1)(a) and the report requires the landlord to undertake further investigative or remedial work, the landlord must ensure that further investigative or remedial work is carried out by a qualified person within—

(a) 28 days beginning with the day on which the inspection and test is carried out; or

(b) the period specified in the report if less than 28 days."

Regulation 12(2): "A landlord who commits an offence under paragraph (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale."