April changes to rents and benefits

April of each year sees a number of uplifts and changes in benefit rates and rents.   We've updated Housing Law in Practice with details of the new rates, but you can also find links to this information below. 

Rent increases

The Registered Rents (Increase) Order 2015 creates a 4.85% increase in the registered rents of statutory and protected tenancies which meet the basic fitness standard.  Details of registered rents for known protected tenancies and tenancies subject to rent control are available online. 

Housing Executive rents will also increase by 4.85%.  The Social Development Minister has asked Housing Associations, which have their own rent setting policies, to consider not increasing rents beyond the rate of inflation plus 1%.

Benefits uprating

New personal allowances, applicable amounts and disregards apply from 1 April 2015. Details of these can be found in The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (NI) 2015. Housing Law in Practice NI has been updated with the latest figures for housing benefit. 

Increase in non-dependant deductions for housing benefit

New deductions and income thresholds have been set for non-dependant deductions from housing benefit for both rent and rates.  A deduction will be made for certain adults living with housing benefit claimants.  This year, different income thresholds will apply for the deductions from rent and those from rates, so you must bear this in mind when helping clients with benefit calculations.  Housing Law in Practice NI has been updated with the new deductions and income thresholds.