Private Tenancies

Landlord licensing urged by council in Private Rented Sector review

13 January 2016

At its latest People and Communities Committee meeting, Belfast City Council considered its response to the Department for Social Development’s Review of the Private Rented Sector.

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Fitness, Private Tenancies, Policy, 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.

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

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Private Tenancies, Affordability, Landlord

Condensation Dampness in the Private Rented Housing Sector in Northern Ireland

17 December 2015

Leah Watters BSc(Hons) BSc(Hons) MSc DipIOA MSc CMCIEH CIHCM , Senior Environmental Officer with Mid Ulster District Council, recently carried out research into condensation dampness in the private rented sector. She has kindly shared a summary of her research with Housing Rights.

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Fitness, Private Tenancies

Registration fee refunds due to some landlords

7 December 2015

The Department for Social Development has announced that almost 5,000 people will have fees paid under the Landlord Registration Scheme refunded. This refund comes about as a result in a change in policy. Where previously all joint owners of a property were required to register and pay the associated fee, now the fee will only be paid by one person.

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Private Tenancies, Landlord

The Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Policy Briefing

November 2015

Housing Rights hopes that the operation of theTenancy Deposit Scheme, (the Scheme), which flows from the Private Tenancies (NI)Order 2006 will be addressed in the upcoming review of the Private Rented Sector.

Housing Rights Policy Briefing Tenancy Deposit Scheme.pdf

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Private Tenancies, Policy

Tenancy deposits: more protection needed

25 November 2015

In 2013, Northern Ireland followed the rest of the UK in introducing a statutory tenancy deposit scheme. The aim of the Scheme is to protect tenants’ deposits through an independent Scheme Provider.

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Private Tenancies, Policy, Landlord

PRS Conference 2015 - Fit for the Future Report

24 November 2015

We had over 90 delegates attend our Private Rented Conference on Tuesday 17th November. The timely conference aimed to open up debate on how to ensure the Northern Ireland private rented sector is fit for purpose.

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Private Tenants Forum, Private Tenancies

Is the private rented sector in NI fit for the future?

23 November 2015

With the Department for Social Development currently seeking feedback on its plans for the future of the private rented sector, now is a good time to review some of the contributions from the conference we held last week. A number of expert speakers raised issues which may help inform your response to the discussion document.