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When everyone has a home

028 9024 5640: Housing & Debt Helpline for Northern Ireland

June 2015

ADVISER: Ombudsman orders Trust to pay couple’s temporary accommodation costs

30 June 2015

Our adviser Faith recently helped solve a serious financial problem for a vulnerable, elderly couple by asking the Ombudsman to investigate a decision taken by the Health & Social Care Trust.

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Social Tenancies, Practical tips, Adviser

Social housing rent setting policy

30 June 2015

The Social Housing Reform Programme (SHRP) is turning its attention to rent setting. Rent policy alignment focuses on the need to develop a fairer system of affordable rents in the social housing sector.  As a pre-consultation exercise, DSD recently attended our Housing Advice Practitioners’ Forum to present their early thoughts on social rent policy.

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Regulation, Policy, NI Assembly

Private renting – looking forward

29 June 2015

Just like in Northern Ireland, the private rented sector in Scotland has grown in size over the last number of years. This is down to a number of factors including the reduction in the amount of social housing and financial difficulties faced by potential homeowners. The private rented sector is increasingly becoming the main housing option, willingly or not, for many people looking for a home.

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Private Tenants Forum, Private Tenancies, Policy

Involving easy to ignore groups in housing policy and strategy in NI

24 June 2015

Dr Jenny Muir is a Lecturer in the School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering at Queen's University Belfast. Below she introduces findings from her latest research on involving easy to ignore groups , carried out with funding provided by Housing Rights. 

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Minority Groups, Research, Policy

Tenant right to compensation for repairs and improvements in social housing

19 June 2015

Solicitor Carmel Ferguson explains when tenants are entitled to compensation for improvements they've carried out to their rented homes and how important it is to get written permission before starting work. 

Susan, a Housing Executive tenant, contacted us recently to find out what rights she had to compensation for improvements she had made to her property.

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Housing Rights responds to DSD's consultation on regulatory framework for social housing providers

11 June 2015

Housing Rights has responded to the Department for Social Development's consultation on Proposals for a New Regulatory Framework for Social Housing Providers in Northern Ireland. The key proposals in the consultation document are:

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Social Tenancies, Policy, NI Assembly

Court decides sale of properties to social landlord not breach of purchaser's contract

9 June 2015

In a recent High Court case, Fernhill Properties v McCambridge [2015] NICh 9, the court decided that a purchaser of an apartment was not entitled to withdraw from the contract because the vendor had subsequently sold other apartments in the block to a housing association.

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Case law, Legal

FCA Report an important step in understanding and addressing consumer vulnerability

5 June 2015

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently released a paper that aims to broaden understanding and stimulate interest and debate around vulnerability. It also aims to provide practical help and resources to firms in developing and implementing a vulnerability strategy.

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Financial regulation roundup

4 June 2015

Mortgage Credit Directive & Time Orders

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Regulation

Small claims holding deposit success

4 June 2015

A local judge ordered an estate agent to return a tenant’s holding deposit once the agent decided not to proceed with the tenancy.  Housing Rights represented the tenant at small claims court.

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Private Tenancies, Practical tips, Legal

Assembly roundup: May 2015

4 June 2015

A round up of housing related questions to the Minister for Social Development during May 2015. 

More funding secured for support to homeowners in negative equity

To ask the Minister for Social Development, in light of the recommendations of the Mortgage Taskforce, what support will be offered to home owners who find themselves in negative equity. Mrs Dolores Kelly (SDLP - Upper Bann) AQW 45510/11-15    

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Social Tenancies, Private Tenancies, Policy, NI Assembly

Today not tomorrow-Getting help early could save your home

1 June 2015

In today’s difficult economic climate many local households continue to struggle with debt.  Local charity Housing Rights is urging people not to put off dealing with mortgage debt and to get free independent advice as early as possible.

That is the key message of a new promotional campaign launched today by Housing Rights with the help of Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA.

Janet Hunter, Director with Housing Rights said:

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