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When everyone has a home

028 9024 5640: Housing & Debt Helpline for Northern Ireland

April 2020

Covid-19 Crisis brings Affordable Housing Commission recommendations into sharp focus

24 April 2020

The core messages of the Affordable Housing Commission (AHC) should be given renewed focus in light of Covid-19, according to a statement on the AHC website. The Commission argues that the current crisis highlights the dangers of relying so heavily on the private rented sector to meet housing demand, pointing out that this sector often

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Coronavirus, Affordability

Department for Communities issues Housing Guidance on coronavirus issues in the Private Rented Sector

16 April 2020

The Department for Communities have issued Coronavirus Housing Guidance for Private Rented Landlords and Tenants. The guidance sets out general advice for tenants and landlords in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) on issues which may arise during the Covid-19 outbreak.

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Coronavirus

Legislation: Coronavirus and benefit up-rating

15 April 2020

Recent developments have necessitated a raft of new legislation impacting social security and housing issues. Some of the new statutory rules which are of most relevance to advisers are set out below

The Discretionary Support (Amendment No.2) (Covid 19) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020

NISR 2020 67

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Coronavirus, Legislation

DHPs available to cover full shortfall in rent for certain tenants

9 April 2020
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Housing Rights has been in touch with huge numbers of private tenants, concerned about how they will manage to pay their full rent bearing in mind the low level of assistance paid by social security benefits towards the cost of private rents.

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What renters want in response to Coronavirus

6 April 2020

Between Saturday 21st and Wednesday 25th March, Renters’ Voice conducted a survey of private renters in Northern Ireland about their issues and concerns due to Covid-19 (or Coronavirus) and what measures private tenants feel would be of help as a result. 

Renters in Northern Ireland voice concerns about affordability and eviction

94 people responded to the survey, setting out concerns about affordability, access to benefits and eviction. 

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Coronavirus, Private Tenancies

Mortgages and the impact of Coronavirus

3 April 2020

We've asked experienced housing debt adviser, Denise Callaghan, to look at some of the most important issues facing mortgage holders impacted by the coronavirus crisis. 

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Coronavirus, Repossession, Affordability

Welfare Mitigations Cliff Edge avoided but work remains to be done

3 April 2020

In the past year over 100 member organisations involved in the Cliff Edge Coalition have been urgently calling for welfare mitigations to be extended beyond 31st March 2020 and strengthened to take account of the new challenges such as Universal Credit, including the two-child limit, and cuts to housing benefits in the private rented sector.

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Benefits, Welfare Reform

Housing Mediation During the Coronavirus Crisis

3 April 2020

Housing Rights' Mediation Service is continuing to operate during the current pandemic. Just last week an agreement was facilitated between a Landlord and private tenant.

Landlord Joan got in touch with the Housing Mediation Service as her relationship with her tenant, Mary, was breaking down.

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Coronavirus, Private Tenancies