Consultation | Notice to quit periods on private tenancies

Have your say on propsed changes to the notice to quit periods for the private rented sector in Northern Ireland.

The Department for Communities has launched a public consultation on the Private Tenancies (Notice to Quit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025. The introduction of these regulations is necessary to allow significantly longer notice to quit periods to apply in Northern Ireland for the benefit of tenants in the private rented sector.

Changes to notice to quit periods in private tenancies

Before the longer notice periods become law, DfC must set out regulations for those circumstances in which shorter notice to quit periods are appropriate. This is to ensure a balanced approach to private rented sector reform, including that human rights, namely those relating to property and family life, are properly taken into account.

This consultation, which seeks feedback on the regulations, guidance, and an Equality Impact Assessment, looks at four main areas:

• circumstances where longer notice periods would not apply;
• the shorter notice periods associated with each circumstance as set out in the regulations;
• suggestions for evidence to validate a shorter notice to quit; and
• potential mitigating measures to help ensure that shorter notice to quit periods do not adversely impact on vulnerable groups within our society.

Who is this consultation aimed at?

This consultation is aimed at tenants, landlords and their representatives, district councils, and anyone else with an interest in the private rented sector in Northern Ireland.

Read full details on the consultation on notice to quit periods.

How to respond to this consultation

The deadline for feedback to this consultation is 11:59pm on Sunday 29 March 2026.

You can respond to this consultation by completing the online form or by emailing prs@communities-ni.gov.uk.

First published 6 January 2026.