Registration fee refunds due to some landlords

The Department for Social Development has announced that almost 5,000 people will have fees paid under the Landlord Registration Scheme refunded.  This refund comes about as a result in a change in policy.  Where previously all joint owners of a property were required to register and pay the associated fee, now the fee will only be paid by one person. 

Joint landlords no longer required to pay multiple registration fees

Mervyn Storey, Minister for Social Development, has said that the Department has responded to concerns raised by landlords about the need to pay multiple registration fees.  This means that only one application fee is now required for a group of joint owners.  Currently, more than 44,000 people have registered as landlords operating in Northern Ireland.  Of these, approximately 5,000 will receive a refund.  Joint owners will have to agree amongst themselves which party will receive the refund.  

Paying refunds

The Department will contact landlords who are due a refund.  Contact will be made by text message, phone call or by email or letter.  Landlords should agree with any other joint owners which member of the group should receive the refund.   The Department anticipates that the first payments will be made in January 2016 and that all refunds will be completed by March 2016.