Mid and East Antrim Council supports motion for stronger private renter protections

Councillor Aaron Skinner and Councillor Chelsea Harwood

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has formally backed a motion from Alliance Party councillors calling for urgent reform in the private rented housing sector, amid growing concern over rising rents and unsafe living conditions.

The motion, brought forward by Cllr Aaron Skinner and seconded by Cllr Chelsea Harwood during Monday night’s full council meeting (12 May), highlights what councillors describe as an increasingly unsustainable situation for private renters across the borough and beyond.

Raising the alarm over poor property standards, unaffordable rent increases, and a lack of tenant empowerment, the motion urges the Communities Minister to take immediate steps to address systemic issues in the sector.

Proposals include a review of minimum fitness standards, the introduction of statutory timeframes for landlords to complete essential repairs, and expanded efforts to increase the supply of affordable rental housing — including through the reuse of empty homes and tighter regulation of short-term holiday lets.

Cllr Aaron Skinner emphasised the gravity of the situation following the successful vote.

“Private renters in Mid and East Antrim are being hammered by rising rents and left stuck in homes that too often aren’t fit to live in, and with no real power to do anything about it,” he said.

“Of course, there are plenty of good landlords out there who look after their properties and do right by their tenants – they have nothing to fear from this. If anything, it’ll force the bad landlords to raise their standards and stop cutting corners at everyone else’s expense.

“This motion won’t fix the housing crisis overnight, but it’s a start. I’m glad councillors backed it, and I hope the Minister listens. He told us last week at the Northern Ireland Housing Council that housing is his number one priority. If that’s the case, now’s the time to prove it.

“Council may not have all the powers, but we can lend our voice to the growing calls for real reform. Renters in this borough deserve better, and we won’t stop pushing for it.”

Cllr Chelsea Harwood echoed those sentiments, framing the motion as a necessary intervention on behalf of local residents.

“Tonight, we’ve sent a clear message that private renters are not forgotten. By bringing this motion and wider policy paper forward, we’ve shown that we are committed to tackling the issues renters face in our borough. This is about raising standards and protecting people from unsafe and unaffordable housing — and I’m proud to have seconded it.”

The motion reflects a broader call for change amid a housing crisis that continues to affect thousands across Northern Ireland. Local housing charities and campaign groups have long cited the lack of enforcement on property conditions, alongside soaring rents, as critical factors driving housing insecurity.

The full motion states:

"Mid & East Antrim expresses concern at the unaffordable rents and inadequate protections for many of the 21,500 private renters in our borough.

“We recognise that the significant imbalance between supply and demand for rental properties is driving up monthly rents and leaving many tenants struggling to make ends meet. We further recognise that too many private renters face unacceptable delays to access the basic repairs necessary to make their homes habitable and safe; and agrees to write to the Minister for Communities to call for:

• A review of minimum fitness standards in the private rented sector

• Statutory timeframes for private landlords to carry out essential repairs

• Measures to boost the supply of affordable rental properties, including a cap on short-term holiday lets and the creation of an Empty Homes Taskforce to help bring more empty homes back into use."

Influence for change

While local councils in Northern Ireland have limited legislative authority in housing policy, they play a significant role in influencing regional decision-makers and representing constituents’ concerns. The Alliance motion passed by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council adds weight to growing public and political pressure for the Executive to act.