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When everyone has a home

028 9024 5640: Housing & Debt Helpline for Northern Ireland

August 2014

Conference on the Future of Private Renting in NI

28 August 2014

Housing Rights Service is holding a conference on the future of private renting in Northern Ireland on Thursday 6 November 2014 in Riddell Hall, Stranmillis Road, Belfast.

This one-day conference will open up debate on how the Northern Ireland private rented sector can genuinely offer a more viable and attractive longer-term tenure option.

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Private Tenancies, Policy, Landlord

ADVISER: Understanding the housing rights of migrants in Northern Ireland

28 August 2014

Advising on the rights of people who come from outside the UK or Ireland can be difficult, particularly in light of all the recent legislative changes in this area.  But, understanding these rights is crucial, given how frequently we’re now being asked to help with cases on eligibility.

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Minority Groups, Adviser

Reasonable to occupy?

28 August 2014

In the second of our articles on the grounds for homelessness appeals our solicitor, Carmel Ferguson, reflects on a recent case concerning a Housing Executive tenant who was a lone parent with three children; the youngest aged 8 months.

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Homelessness, Legal

Myths on renting privately in Northern Ireland

22 August 2014

Autumn is always a boom time for the private rented sector in Northern Ireland, often fuelled by the numbers of new students moving to university towns, like Belfast and Coleraine.  There are a number of myths out there that people might have heard about renting privately in Northern Ireland.   Here are some of the most common misconceptions.

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Private Tenancies, Practical tips

Appointing a receiver: their impact on private tenants

21 August 2014

Earlier this year, Christopher McGrath, solicitor with Housing Rights Service, considered the increasing use of receivers and the impact on private tenants.

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Private Tenancies, Legal

Bank of Scotland held to account

18 August 2014

Chris McGrath LLB, Solicitor with Housing Rights, discusses a recent Housing Rights High Court Case where Bank of Scotland was found to be double billing customers in mortgage arrears.

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Money Matters, Repossession, Case law, Legal

Ministers issue invite to developer contributions consultation event

15 August 2014

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland and Environment Minister Mark H Durkan are to host a consultation event on their proposals for developer contributions.The proposals would require developers to provide a proportion of newly proposed housing developments, over a certain threshold, as affordable housing. The consultation runs until 23 September 2014.

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When can an extra bedroom be allowed for overnight care?

14 August 2014

The latest in a long line of appeals against the bedroom tax has just been heard in the Upper Tribunal in England.

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Benefits, Outside NI, Welfare Reform

Social Housing Reform – A Seminar on Tenant Participation

6 August 2014

In January 2013 the Minister for Social Development announced proposals to overhaul the delivery of social housing in Northern Ireland through the Social Housing Reform Programme (SHRP). The intention of the programme is to radically change the way social housing is delivered in Northern Ireland.

The vision is to create:
"Housing structures that support the provision of social and affordable homes, in thriving communities where people are proud to live”.

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Social Tenancies