Political leadership needed to improve the private rented sector

With 1 in 5 local people renting their homes from private landlords’ local charity Housing Rights is calling for political leadership to help improve the sector. A one day conference being held in Belfast today will look at how the sector could work better for the increasing numbers of people living in it.

Janet Hunter, Director with Housing Rights commented;

“The landscape of the rental sector in Northern Ireland is changing. The recent review of Social Housing Allocations proposes that NIHE could house people who are homeless in the private rented sector.  This could see the numbers renting privately increase even further. This, coupled with ongoing impacts of welfare reform, mean it is now more important than ever to focus on creating a sustainable sector which works for everyone. We need political leadership to help do that.”

During the last decade there has been a 10% increase in the numbers of people renting privately.  The demographics of the sector have also changed, with many more families and low-income households now renting privately.

Today’s conference will hear from a range of expert speakers on good practice in other jurisdictions.  It will also explore alternative ways of resolving housing disputes and examine how promoting good practice and compliance throughout tenancies is beneficial for both tenants and landlords.

Ends

For further information contact Claire on 90 267925

Notes to editors

• Established in 1964 Housing Rights is the leading specialist provider of independent housing advice in Northern Ireland.  We believe that prevention of homelessness is the best cure. We work tirelessly to keep people in their homes and help them with their housing problems.
• Last year the organisation provided advice and assistance on over 43,000 housing issues.
• More than one in three of the queries to Housing Rights housing helpline are from people experiencing problems renting privately.