Average rent price in NI increases at double the UK rate

According to HomeLet rental index for September 2017, the average rents in Northern Ireland have increased at double the UK rate over the past 12 months.

The survey shows the average rent in Northern Ireland in September 2017 rose 4.3% to £636, from £610 in September 2016.

Housing Rights Policy and Practice Officer, Sarah Corrigan, is concerned by the news.

“Affordability in the private rental sector and being able to sustain a private tenancy are two of the biggest queries that we get so obviously seeing figures like this is very concerning to us."

"It is extremely worrying, especially in the current context of welfare reform and the launch of Universal Credit. There was also a government proposal last week about how social housing is going to be allocated and one of the proposals was a reliance on the private rental sector to re-house some of the most vulnerable. So if they're going to rely on that sector when the rents are increasing and the help is reducing also, it's kind of like a perfect storm."

Anyone worried about being priced out of their home should contact Housing Rights on 028 90245640 to speak with an adviser.

Income and property type

Other information from the survey showed the average income in NI is £25,432 for males and £22,322 for females. The most popular property type in NI is a flat (37.7%), followed by terraced (33.5%), semi-detached (19.2%), detached (7.6%) and bungalow (2.1%).

The household rent to income ratio in Northern Ireland is 26%, compared to 27% in the rest of the UK (excluding London).

Private Rented Sector Conference

Housing Rights upcoming conference on the PRS on 15 November will focus on working together to create a positive chance for the sector. We have a wide range of speakers form across UK and Ireland, including Brian Robson from JRF who will be talking about poverty and the private rented sector.

The results of the Homelet survey for all areas can be viewed in this interactive infographic.