New legislation could make it mandatory for private landlords to register themselves and their property, and to maintain minimum property standards.

The Landlord Registration Bill would establish minimum management and property standards and aims to improve the standard of private rental housing on offer.

A public consultation has been launched on the Bill.

Landlord registration was recommended by the island’s Safeguarding Board as part of a serious case management review into the death of a vulnerable man who had been living in ’poor’ private rented accommodation.

Infrastructure Minister Tim Baker MHK said: ’While I have no doubt that the vast majority of landlord and tenant relationships are very amenable, there are unfortunately a number of properties which are in a substandard condition.

’These are often let to the most vulnerable in our island society, in circumstances where individuals feel they have no legitimate avenue for complaint, let alone action.

’The purpose of this Bill is to eradicate this totally unacceptable position and I encourage as many people as possible to participate in the consultation process and submit their views.’

The legislation is based on a voluntary registration scheme which has operated since 2013. More than 100 landlords are signed up, but cover only 300 properties from a total estimated number of around 5,000.

The idea of a central register of landlords was a key part of a Landlord and Tenant Private Housing Bill introduced by the then Policy and Reform Minister Chris Robertshaw in 2014. His aim was to raise minimum standards in the private rented sector.

But his bill was dropped by the House of Keys in February 2015 after a committee recommended the ’flawed’ proposals should be completely redrafted. Landlords argued the Bill was confusing, unbalanced and favoured the rights of tenants.

Last month, the island’s Safeguarding Board published its independent report into the death of a man in poor physical and mental health. The man died of natural causes.

The report states that at the time of his death he was living in privately rented accommodation, following eviction from his local authority flat eight months earlier.

The government was urged to consider expediting the introduction of regulation of the private rented sector.

’Poor standards in some privately-rented housing, combined with far higher rents, are resulting in vulnerable people living in homes that are in poor repair and prejudicial to the health and wellbeing of the occupants,’ it says.

View and download the consultation document at www.gov.im/consultations.gov

Written comments can be emailed to [email protected] or send to Public Estates and Housing Division, Department of Infrastructure, 1st Floor, Sea Terminal, Douglas, IM1 2RF.

The deadline for responses is 5pm on July 27.