RICS, the NFRL and NAEA have won a court ruling, overturning the Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) legislation, which was introduced by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive last year. The proposed law would have made landlords of HMOs accountable for the behaviour of tenants and their guests, not only within the landlords property, but also in the public street.

HMOs are effectively houses comprising tenants who do not make up a single household. The sector is mainly made up of flats rented to students and young professionals.

Chartered Surveyor Gordon Jackson said: "This legislation made the landlords of houses in multiple occupation, normally student accommodation, accountable for the behaviour of tenants and their guests, not only within the boundaries of the landlords property, but also in the public street. The measure would have not only forced those who manage HMOs out of the market and prevented many from entering the market, it would also have had a very negative effect on property values. We believe it would also have had a detrimental."