Registration of Private Sector Landlords
The Department currently administers a voluntary landlord registration scheme. In the future, all private sector landlords of residential properties will be required in law to register with the Department unless covered by one of the exceptions listed in the Bill. Registration will involve a self-declaration by the landlord that they meet certain personal, management and property standards. Each property that is let out will need to be registered and any agent acting on behalf of landlords will also be required to register.
The following are a few examples of exceptions for when residential landlords will not be required to register:
- Landlords of tourist accommodation letting out properties for periods less than six months
- Landlords who share their own home with no more than two other occupiers,
- Landlords who only rent to their own close relatives, and
- Landlords who rent to their own employees as required for the employee to carry out their duties
The Landlord Registration (Private Housing) Act 2021 received Royal Assent in December 2021 following its approval in Tynwald in June 2021. The main purpose of the Act is to make it mandatory for private sector landlords to register themselves, their properties and where appropriate their agents. In order for the Act to become active its supporting regulations must first be approved by Tynwald.
The Department is reviewing its work programme in line with the newly formed Housing and Communities Board’s intention to centralise housing policy and to prioritise its work accordingly. As such, the timeframe for when landlord registration will become mandatory is yet to be determined. In the meantime, the voluntary landlord registration scheme is active and accepting applications.
The Housing and Communities Board has expressed an intention to bring together a range of stakeholders into focus groups for direct input into the detailed drafting of the Regulations.
If you would like any further guidance about future requirements for landlord registration or the current voluntary landlord registration scheme please contact us at:
Email: landlordregistration@gov.im
Telephone: Housing Customer Services Team at +44 1624 685955
Key facts you need to know:
| Type | Facts |
|---|---|
| Voluntary Registration | Is free of charge and is available to apply for now (see below). You may wish to use your voluntary registration status for marketing and letting your property. |
| Mandatory Registration | Currently, there is no legal requirement to register. The supporting regulations listed below must be approved before a mandatory requirement for registration is introduced. |
| Secondary Legislation | To be drafted:
|
Voluntary Landlord Registration Scheme (VLRS) - Open now for applications
Landlords can now register to become a member of the re-launched VLRS. The application form for the Scheme and the guidance for applicants can be found in the 'Downloadable Documents' section of this page. Members of the VLRS will benefit from the following:
- Free Registration
- Registration which will last for 5 years
- Landlords registered upon the Voluntary Scheme will be transferred over to the mandatory scheme when it becomes active, free of charge for the remainder of the registration period. (subject to making a self-declaration that they meet the required standards)
In order to register to the Voluntary Scheme landlords will need to make a self-declaration to confirm that their rental properties meet certain management, condition and safety standards.
The Department will treat your data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations.
Landlord Registration (Private Housing) Act 2021
In July 2021 Tynwald formally approved the Bill which will make it mandatory for landlords to register themselves, their representatives and their properties in order for them to remain a landlord on the Island. The Bill then received Royal Assent in December 2021, making the Bill formally renamed as The Landlord Registration (Private Housing) Act 2021.
Before registration becomes mandatory the Department is required to draft and consult upon Regulations which will set out how the Act will operate at a practical level and which will make registration a requirement in law.
It is the Department’s intention to work closely with the private rental sector to make the transition into this regulatory requirement as smooth as possible.
