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Policy

Briefing Paper on the Fundamental Review of Social Housing

Policy Briefing
February 2014

In 2012, the Minister for the Department for Social Development (DSD) announced a Fundamental Review of social housing allocations in Northern Ireland. The review was carried out by the Universities of Ulster and Cambridge who conducted discussions with a number of stakeholders and reviewed best practice in the allocation of social housing in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The final research report contained the recommendations in this briefing (though these do not necessarily represent the views of DSD) The Department is inviting feedback on the recent reports following a review of social housing allocations in Northern Ireland. It will publish a summary of the responses and its final proposals. These proposals will be subject to full public consultation. It is expected that this will take place late in 2014. The deadline for comments on the reports is 4 March 2014.

PDF icon HRS Briefing on the Fundamental Review of Social Housing Allocations Policy.pdf

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Social Tenancies, Policy

Tackling Anti Social Behaviour in Northern Ireland

7 February 2014

Nicola McCrudden, Policy Manager at Housing Rights Service, explains her thoughts on the proposals for an Anti Social Behaviour Bill.

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Social Tenancies, Policy

New laws planned to tackle anti social behaviour

7 February 2014

The Housing Minister, Nelson McCausland, intends to introduce to the NI Assembly a Bill to tackle anti social behaviour in social housing. The Minister suggests allowing social housing landlords to show a “yellow card” to “failing tenants” who cause problems to neighbours. The new legislation would:

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Social Tenancies, Policy

Involving Tenants in Social Housing Conference Report

19 December 2013

A packed conference held on 12 December in the Mac, Belfast, allowed delegates from tenants groups, social landlords and other agencies to discuss how housing provision can benefit from effective tenant involvement and empowerment.

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Social Tenancies, Policy, Landlord

Response to the OFT consultation on Guidance for Lettings professionals

Consultation Response
December 2013

Housing Rights Service has responded to a consultation exercise carried out by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) on draft guidance for lettings professionals. We welcome this initiative as we have identified through our casework many difficulties and issues relating to the management practice of letting agencies. Nevertheless we remain to be convinced that the many problems encountered with the lettings industry will be solved by simply encouraging letting agents and landlords to become better informed and equipped to comply with existing consumer protection legislation. We believe greater regulation is necessary and look forward to working with OFT, DSD and Trading Standards in Northern Ireland for greater tenant protection in private rented accommodation.

 

PDF icon HRS response to the OFT consultation on Guidance for Lettings professionals December 2013 .pdf

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Private Tenancies, Policy

Further regulation needed to improve the lettings industry

13 December 2013

Through its casework, Housing Rights Service has identified the many difficulties and issues relating to the management practice of letting agencies. We remain to be convinced that the many problems encountered with the lettings industry will be solved by simply encouraging letting agents and landlords to become better informed and equipped to comply with existing consumer protection legislation.

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Private Tenancies, Policy

Reviewing social housing allocation in Northern Ireland

10 December 2013

The Minister for Social Development is seeking views on how social housing is allocated. As part of his housing strategy he commissioned independent research on this issue. The research carried out by the Universities of Ulster and Cambridge has just been published and provides independent recommendations on the future of social housing allocations in Northern Ireland.

Nicola McCrudden, our Policy Manager, provides her views on this important matter:

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Social Tenancies, Policy

Proposal for shorter social housing tenancies in new anti-social behaviour bill

5 December 2013

The Department for Social Development (DSD) has just issued a consultation on a proposed Housing (Anti-Social Behaviour) Bill that would introduce short secure tenancies in Northern Ireland. Largely based on the Scottish short secure tenancy model, it is proposed that the new legislation would:

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Social Tenancies, Policy

Informing the social housing reform process

28 November 2013

Nicola McCrudden, Policy Manager with Housing Rights Service, explains what the Housing Rights Service feels the Social Housing Reform Programme needs to contain to cater for clients.

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Social Tenancies, Policy

Welfare reform and the rates rebate system

24 October 2013

Housing Rights Service is involved in discussions around the future of rates support in Northern Ireland and has responded to a recent Government consultation. Nicola McCrudden, our Policy Manager, outlines our views.

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Welfare Reform, Policy

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