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Private Tenants Forum

The latest NI Repossession statistics have been published by the Courts and Tribunal Service, showing a welcome fall in cases reaching court.  The report shows statistics for October – December 2014.

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Private Tenants Forum
 
We've storified some of the highlights from our Bigger & Better conference so those of you who weren't able to attend can see some of what you missed.  
 

Conference highlights #prsplus

 

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Private Tenants Forum, Private Tenancies, Policy

Private tenants have, for the first time, published proposals for improving rented accommodation in Northern Ireland. The Private Tenants’ Forum has produced an ‘Agenda for Action’ which sets out 8 practical ways to improve rented accommodation in Northern Ireland.

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Private Tenants Forum, Private Tenancies, Policy

A little piece of history was made last week when, for the first time, MLAs heard directly from private tenants about their experiences of living in the private rented sector. The meeting followed on from the Committee for Social Development’s attendance at Housing Rights Service where they conducted their normal weekly business meeting.

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Private Tenants Forum, Private Tenancies, NI Assembly

Housing Right Service has launched a new video to help tenants make the most of living in the private rented sector. Entitled ‘The Key to Successful Renting’, it takes the form of a 3 minute video and is designed to help people find private rented accommodation and understand their rights.

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Private Tenants Forum, Private Tenancies

Response to DSD Anti Social Behaviour Bill

Housing Rights Service is concerned about the new form of tenancy i.e. the Short Secure Tenancy (SST) which the DSD is proposing. We interpret the SST as a downgraded temporary tenancy for 6 months. After this time the SST either becomes secure again or possession is sought to bring the tenancy to an end using a largely administrative process. The court “would be required” to grant possession in such cases. In our view a system which allows for the removal of secure tenants’ rights by a largely administrative process runs contrary to the principle of natural justice and would interfere with human rights. Read our response.

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Social Tenancies, Private Tenants Forum, Policy

We recently carried out an undercover survey of 40 NI based lettings agencies to find out more about the fees and charges that prospective tenants are forced to hand over before they can find rented accommodation.

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Private Tenants Forum, Private Tenancies, Affordability

The Private Tenants Forum, a group of tenants in private rented accommodation who have come together to campaign for better conditions, has responded to the Department of Finance & Personnel's recent consultation on a review of rates liability in the landlord sector. 

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Landlord, Private Tenancies, Private Tenants Forum

The Hidden Costs of Private Renting in Northern Ireland - An Investigation into the Practice of Letting Charges

The hidden costs of renting private accommodation in Northern Ireland have been revealed in an undercover survey carried out by Housing Rights Service.  A ‘mystery shopping’ survey of 40 lettings agents across Northern Ireland found that upfront fees of as much as £100 were demanded by some agents to cover routine services such as credit checks and general administration costs. This was on top of a deposit (normally one month’s rent) and a month’s rent in advance.

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Affordability, Policy, Practical tips, Private Tenants Forum

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