March 2017

A proportionate alternative to possession - Acceptable Behaviour Contracts.

31 March 2017

In recent years, the question of "proportionality" has increasingly been raised as a defence to possession proceedings. Sarah Corrigan, an adviser with extensive experience in defending possession action, discusses the merits of acceptable behaviour contracts as an alternative to possession action and an effective method of dealing with antisocial behaviour.

Tagged In

Repossession, Social Tenancies

Case law: Decision not to accept new homelessness application after change in circumstances was irrational

29 March 2017

Solicitor Carmel Ferguson considers a decision of the UK High Court relating to a local authority's refusal to carry out a homelessness assessment.

Tagged In

Homelessness, Case law, Legal

House of Lords publishes report on tackling financial exclusion

29 March 2017

The House of Lords Select Committee on Financial Exclusion has just published their report, “Tackling financial exclusion: A country that works for everyone?”

Tagged In

Money Matters, Outside NI, Equality, Affordability

Thinking outside the box – conference from Housing Rights and Supporting Communities

28 March 2017

Welfare Reform is bringing a sweeping set of changes to the Social Security system in Northern Ireland. These will have major implications for tenants.

Housing Rights and Supporting Communities have come together to offer an exclusive one-day conference that will help equip staff and empower tenants to deal with the changes that welfare reform will bring.

CAB Report: A state of disrepair – Why renters deserve a better deal

23 March 2017

A recent research report from Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) in England has called for improvements at government level which would better the lives of households living in the private rented sector (PRS) in England. Whilst the research does not cover the experiences of those renting privately in Northern Ireland, the findings are of relevance and interest

Tagged In

Fitness, Private Tenancies, Policy, Affordability, Landlord

ADVISER: Finding housing solutions for people in custody

21 March 2017

An adviser based at Hydebank Wood College and Women’s Prison, discusses one of her recent cases, where she worked in partnership with the Beyond the Gate team at Housing Rights not just to secure a tenancy for a newly-released client, but also to ensure that the individual had the right support in place to cope independently in the community.

Tagged In

Social Tenancies, Practical tips, Adviser

Housing Rights launch Landlord Advice - a free service for landlords

15 March 2017

“Landlord Advice" is a free advice service for landlords being piloted by Housing Rights on behalf of the Department for Communities (DFC). Its aim is to help landlords comply with their legal requirements and promote good practice by offering free confidential advice and information.

Tagged In

Private Tenancies, Landlord

Removal of housing costs for some 18-21 year olds

7 March 2017

The Government’s removal of Universal Credit housing costs from some 18-21 year olds has garnered a lot of media attention. Policy Officer Stephen Orme looks at what these changes mean.

Tagged In

Benefits, Welfare Reform, Affordability

Bedroom tax in Northern Ireland

7 March 2017

Regulations allowing for the introduction of the “social sector size criteria” or the “bedroom tax” in Northern Ireland took effect on the 20 February. As we’ve previously reported, the impact of this change in Northern Ireland is largely mitigated, with the only threat of an actual financial detriment as a result of the change being to some social tenants who trans