The provision of Land and Property Services in Northern Ireland is the direct responsibility of a number of government agencies: Land Registers of Northern Ireland, Planning Service, Valuation and Lands Agency (VLA), Construction Service and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).

On the 1st April 2007, Land and Property Services was established as an executive agency within the Department of finance and personal for Northern Ireland.  The initial establishment came from the merger between the formers Rates Collection Agency and the Valuation and Lands Agency.  This shall be followed by the addition of Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland and Land Registry of Northern Ireland on the 1st April 2008, and until then both organisations shall continue as separate agencies. 

The aim of this amalgamation is to deliver timely, efficient and fair assessment and collection of rates and provide a proper valuation and advice service which meets the need of the sponsors department in the fair operation of the property taxation system and the public sector in carrying out its functions.

The information that these bodies hold is of interest to a diverse range of users from the public and private sectors.  If the maximum potential of this information is to be realised it is imperative that a co-ordinated approach to land and property information services is developed.  Such a co-ordinated approach should see better and more informed decisions, less confusion and misunderstanding and greater openness and accountability, not to mention improved service delivery.