Private Tenancies

Key figures from the latest Housing Bulletin

17 November 2017

The Department for Communities has released the Northern Ireland Housing Bulletin for April-June 2017, detailing recent progressions in house prices, homelessness and housing supply.

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Social Tenancies, Private Tenancies, Policy

Political leadership needed to improve the private rented sector

14 November 2017

With 1 in 5 local people renting their homes from private landlords’ local charity Housing Rights is calling for political leadership to help improve the sector. A one day conference being held in Belfast today will look at how the sector could work better for the increasing numbers of people living in it.

Janet Hunter, Director with Housing Rights commented;

Resolving disputes between tenants and landlords in Northern Ireland

14 November 2017

Housing Rights has published the findings of its research study which explores the potential application of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the private rented sector (PRS). The research paper makes recommendations to develop and pilot a digital by default ADR system which can be used in this sector of the housing market.

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Research, Private Tenancies, Policy

Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Private Rented Sector

Research Paper

November 2017

This Housing Rights research examines the case for the establishment of an independent dispute resolution service for tenants and landlords in Northern Ireland.

The research:

Reviews relevant policy documents from Northern Ireland and the UK which support improving access to justice;
Identifies and examines specific good practice ADR case studies from other jurisdictions;
Gathers expert opinion from those living and working in the PRS in Northern Ireland, as well as housing practitioners and policy makers;
Assesses the data and makes recommendations for the principles which an ADR system needs to consider, and how that system could function.

Housing Rights Exec Summary Alternative Dispute Resolution PRS Nov 17.pdf

Housing Rights Alternative Dispute Resolution PRS Nov 17.pdf

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Research, Private Tenancies

Average rent price in NI increases at double the UK rate

10 October 2017

According to HomeLet rental index for September 2017, the average rents in Northern Ireland have increased at double the UK rate over the past 12 months.

The survey shows the average rent in Northern Ireland in September 2017 rose 4.3% to £636, from £610 in September 2016.

Housing Rights Policy and Practice Officer, Sarah Corrigan, is concerned by the news.

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Research, Private Tenancies, Affordability

PRS Conference November 2017 - Working Together for Positive Change

31 August 2017

Housing Rights, with support from TDS NI, will be holding it’s annual conference on private renting in Northern Ireland on Wednesday 15 November 2017, at the Skainos Centre, East Belfast. The conference will examine best practice for the private rented sector (PRS) across the UK and Ireland.

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Private Tenancies, Policy, Landlord

Agent prosecuted for issuing “licence” agreements to tenants

23 August 2017

Tenancy legislation provides people with vital protection against homelessness, by legislating against harassment and unlawful eviction and ensuring that certain rights are enshrined in law. Some agents have tried to circumvent these protections by issuing tenants with “licence agreements”, which purport to diminish the tenant’s legal status.

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Private Tenancies, Legal

Save the date-Private Rented Sector Conference 15 November 2017

27 July 2017

Housing Rights 4^th annual Private Rented Sector conference will take place on 15 November 2017.

The private rented sector in Northern Ireland has grown dramatically and now makes up over 16% of the total housing market. This one-day conference will look at key issues facing the sector; showcase good practice from other jurisdictions, and stimulates policy debate

Confirmed speakers to date include:

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Private Tenancies

JRF highlights sharp increase in poverty, evictions and forced moves.

25 July 2017

Over 40,000 tenants were evicted from their homes across England and Wales by landlords in 2015; an increase of a third since 2003 and the highest level recorded, according to the latest available figures in research conducted by Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).