No formal registration of rental properties

Last August, the Minister of Social Affairs authorised local authorities to make registers of approved rental properties.

However, since this was merely an authority and not a legal requirement, none of the country’s local councils have yet created any such registers.

 >> SEE ALSO Rent Act to cover fire safety

This is the conclusion of the Rent Control Board eight months after the Rent Act was amended with the objective of ensuring that tenants do not rent accommodation not covered by fire insurance.

Amendment “has had no effect”

The Rent Control Board continues to receive complaints about rental properties which do not meet the criteria for fire safety and escape routes.

 >> SEE ALSO Mandatory lists of approved rental properties

Authorising local councils to make registers of approved rental properties was believed to be a solution to this problem. But, as this authorisation was not a legal requirement, no such registers have been created, leaving the Rent Control Board to conclude that the authorisation has had no effect.

Eyðun Christiansen, the head of the Association of Municipalities, says that measures are being taken to remedy the situation, and local authorities have been called in for a meeting next month.

Translated by prosa.fo