Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Shauna McCann Housing Campaign Gains Further Momentum

Published: 16 October, 2008

Sinn Féin have tabled a motion in the Assembly calling on Margaret Ritchie to act on introducing legislation in order to regulate private landlords throughout the North of Ireland.

Speaking following the motion today local Sinn Féin MLA Mickey Brady said,

"There can be no excuses for continuing to delay this important and much needed legislation. People across the Six Counties, and in particularly in urban areas are calling out for effective measures to regulate private landlords; this legislation will only serve to benefit landlords and their tenants.

"While there are many responsible landlords who would surely welcome mandatory registration, there are also unscrupulous landlords who charge extortionate rents, provide substandard and even dangerous accommodation and who prey on the vulnerable.

Speaking on the motion, Mickey Brady also called for regulations to be imposed so that landlords could not pursue families of students who have left their student accommodation due to serious illness or death.

"Here in Newry/Armagh we are all very aware of the disgraceful treatment of young Shanuna McCann's family after she had passed away while studying in Liverpool."

"For too long this sector has been unregulated and both statutory and voluntary registration has failed, leaving it to market forces to regulate the sector which has only made matters worse."

"Sinn Féin will continue to lobbying on this issue both inside and outside of the Assembly and looks forward to Minister making clear her proposals of r the registration on private landlords."