Spokesman Brian Beattie said his party, which seeks to represent the interests of people in the regions, would support anything that ends "900 years of feudalism".

However, he said the HIA is concerned the proposals for more community control will be difficult to "implement and police".

Mr Beattie said the government could have introduced further safeguards against absentee landlords.

He told BBC News Online: "We agree with the planned aim to put an end to absentee landlords.

"But we think the government could also have introduced a requirement for a landlord to live on the property for a period of six months each year."

'No limit'

Mr Beattie said proposals to release lottery money to assist communities in the purchase of land also failed to answer fully the problem of large buy-ups of land by one person or group.

He said: "It does not place a limit on the amount of land which one person or persons is allowed to own."

The government must ensure restrictions work in favour of the people they affect most - those in the communities - he said.