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When everyone has a home

028 9024 5640: Housing & Debt Helpline for Northern Ireland

Affordability

Increase in households facing repossession

13 May 2016

NI Court figures for January to March show an increase in the numbers of repossession cases.[1]  Local charity, Housing Rights, is urging those struggling with their mortgage to get free independent advice as early as possible.

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ADVISER: Deprivation of capital

21 April 2016

When Brian first spoke to Housing Rights, he was living in a private tenancy and his only income was carer’s allowance. He was in arrears with his rent and at risk of eviction by his landlord. At this stage, Brian was not entitled to Housing Benefit, but our adviser agreed to take on his case and look into how she could help him.  

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Benefits, Practical tips, Affordability, Adviser

Response to the Consumer Council’s consultation on its Draft Forward Work Programme 2016-17 and Corporate Plan 2016-2021

Consultation Response
March 2016

Housing Rights has highlighted the charging of fees by letting agents as a key issue for consumers, in our response to the Consumer Council’s consultation on its Draft Forward Work Programme 2016-17 and Corporate Plan 2016-2021.

PDF icon Counsumer Council Response March 2016.pdf

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Regulation, Private Tenancies, Affordability, Legal

Housing Rights respond to consultation on NIHE Rural Policy Proposals

16 March 2016

Housing Rights has recently responded to a Housing Executive consultation on their draft Rural Policy Proposals.

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Minority Groups, Policy, Equality, Affordability

Response to Housing Executive Rural Housing Policy Proposals

Consultation Response
March 2016

Housing Rights has recently responded to a Housing Executive consultation on their draft Rural Policy Proposals.

Housing Rights welcomes the Executive’s ongoing acknowledgement of the need for specific policies on rural housing, and supports the overarching vision of the proposals: ‘Housing Services working in partnership to enable and support vibrant, shared and sustainable rural communities and provide economic, social and environmental benefits in rural areas.’ Comments were offered on several specific elements of the proposals:

PDF icon Policy Briefing on Rural Communities.pdf

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Homelessness, Equality, Affordability

Consumer Council tips for saving on your energy bills

19 February 2016

Heating and lighting our homes is an everyday necessity. However, Consumer Council research shows that for one third of consumers it is the area of household expenditure they worry about most.

Consumers can cut down on their energy bills by shopping around for the best deal possible and switching suppliers to make savings. The Consumer Council has produced a range of resources to help consumers save on their home heating oil, natural gas and electricity bills.

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Practical tips, Affordability

PwC predicts fall in homeownership and greater use of PRS

16 February 2016

A report from Pricewaterhouse Coopers suggests that Northern Ireland could have amongst the lowest level of homeownership in the UK by 2025.   PwC predicts that renting privately is likely to boom in the coming decade, particularly amongst 20 to 39 year olds. 

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Private Tenancies, Affordability

Homeowner flood protection grant

8 February 2016

With Storm Imogen currently battering parts of the UK and Storms Jake and Katie presumably not far behind, it’s important for advisers to familiarise themselves with the newest government grant aimed at helping homeowners who have been adversely affected by flooding.

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Fitness, Affordability, Landlord

Letting fees: the need for improved regulations in Northern Ireland

7 January 2016

With the DSD’s Review of the Private Rented Sector ongoing, Housing Rights has prepared a policy briefing on the need for improved regulations in the charging of letting fees in Northern Ireland.

What are letting fees?

Letting fees are additional charges imposed for services included in the routine letting and management of a property.

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Private Tenancies, Affordability, Landlord

Housing Rights Policy Briefing on Letting Fees in Northern Ireland

Policy Briefing
January 2016

With the Department for Social Development's Review of the Private Rented Sector ongoing, Housing Rights has prepared a policy briefing on the need for improved regulations in the charging of letting fees in Northern Ireland.

PDF icon Housing Rights Policy Briefing - Update on Letting Fees Nov 15.pdf

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Private Tenancies, Affordability, Landlord

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