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Research Paper

The ‘Perfect Storm’: The impact of Covid-19 on private renters

Research Paper
November 2020

A new report on the impact of Covid-19 on private renters in Northern Ireland, shows that those living in the private rented sector have been disproportionately affected, caught in the ‘perfect storm’ of low incomes (often as a result of job losses, furlough or reduced hours), job insecurity and tenure insecurity. In part this may be due to the increasing proportion of low income households in the private rented sector, and as such a policy change in favour of social and affordable housing will be key to a post Covid-19 recovery. The research has also shown that the support that many households received has been immensely helpful, but it has also shown us that it is important to remember that we may all be in the same storm, but we are definitely not in the same boat.

PDF icon The impact of Covid-19 on private renters in Northern Ireland.pdf

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Coronavirus, Legislation, Regulation, Research, Private Tenancies, Policy

Preventing Homelessness and Sustaining Tenancies in the Private Rented Sector: Scoping Project

Research Paper
September 2020

A scoping project to inform innovation in future service delivery around accessing and sustaining tenancies in the private rented sector by understanding the practical support needs of low income private tenants.

PDF icon Preventing Homelessness and Sustaining Tenancies in the PRS.pdf

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Private Tenancies

Falling Behind: Local Housing Allowance research

Research Paper
October 2019

Falling Behind: Exploring the gap between Local Housing Allowance and the availability of affordable private rented accommodation in Northern Ireland.

This research shows that renting privately in Northern Ireland is becoming increasingly unaffordable for people who rely on housing benefit to pay their rent. Almost 9 out of 10 of rental properties are out of reach for people receiving Housing Benefit with the research showing that as little as 12% of properties in the sector would have their rent fully covered by the amount of benefit available.

 

PDF icon Falling behind Executive Summary 10 October.pdf
PDF icon Falling Behind LHA full research Oct 2019.pdf
PDF icon Falling-behind-policy-briefing-Oct19.pdf

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Benefits, Regulation, Research, Welfare Reform, Policy, Homelessness, Equality, Affordability

Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Private Rented Sector

Research Paper
November 2017

This Housing Rights research examines the case for the establishment of an independent dispute resolution service for tenants and landlords in Northern Ireland.

The research:

  • Reviews relevant policy documents from Northern Ireland and the UK which support improving access to justice;
  • Identifies and examines specific good practice ADR case studies from other jurisdictions;
  • Gathers expert opinion from those living and working in the PRS in Northern Ireland, as well as housing practitioners and policy makers;
  • Assesses the data and makes recommendations for the principles which an ADR system needs to consider, and how that system could function.
PDF icon Housing Rights Exec Summary Alternative Dispute Resolution PRS Nov 17.pdf
PDF icon Housing Rights Alternative Dispute Resolution PRS Nov 17.pdf

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Research, Private Tenancies

Involving Everyone - Including 'Easy to Ignore" Groups in Housing Policy and Strategy Development in Northern Ireland

Research Paper
September 2015

The aim of this research was to assess and make recommendations for the greater involvement of ‘easy to ignore’ groups in housing policy and strategy development in Northern Ireland, with particular emphasis on engagement with the Social Housing Reform Programme. 

PDF icon Easy to Ignore Full Report - June 2015.pdf
PDF icon Easy to Ignore Executive Summary.pdf

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Minority Groups, Research, Policy

The Hidden Costs of Private Renting in Northern Ireland - An Investigation into the Practice of Letting Charges

Research Paper
June 2013

The hidden costs of renting private accommodation in Northern Ireland have been revealed in an undercover survey carried out by Housing Rights Service.  A ‘mystery shopping’ survey of 40 lettings agents across Northern Ireland found that upfront fees of as much as £100 were demanded by some agents to cover routine services such as credit checks and general administration costs. This was on top of a deposit (normally one month’s rent) and a month’s rent in advance.

PDF icon HRS Mystery Shopping Exercise on Upfront Fees in the PRS May 2013.pdf

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Affordability, Policy, Practical tips, Private Tenants Forum

Towards Financial Inclusion, the expansion of credit union financial services for low-income households

Research Paper
May 2013

We have become increasingly aware of the large extent of high-cost, sub-prime lending in Northern Ireland and of the disproportionate effects such lending can have on low-income households. With this in mind, research was commissioned into the way in which NI Credit Unions currently serve low-income households and into their potential to expand their outreach within the low-income market in the future.

PDF icon Towards Financial Inclusion.pdf
PDF icon Towards Financial Inclusion Executive Summary .pdf

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Policy

Meeting the housing needs of vulnerable homeless people in the private rented sector in Northern Ireland

Research Paper
November 2012

Housing Rights Service has released the findings of a ground breaking research study into how the private rented sector can provide a long-term and sustainable housing solution for homeless people with multiple and complex needs. Although the study shows that no single model of housing and support is likely to be appropriate for all chronically homeless people, it nevertheless finds that the use of rented accommodation in ‘Housing First’ or ‘Housing Led’ models of housing support could provide a solution if adequate safeguards are put in place.

PDF icon Executive Summary.pdf
PDF icon Meeting the Housing Needs of Vulnerable People.pdf

Tagged In

Private Tenancies, Policy, Homelessness

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