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Read the latest news on housing and homelessness issues in Northern Ireland

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Rooftops of houses

Joint Organisational letter re DfC Budget 2023-24 Equality Impact Assessment

We have written a joint letter to the Department for Communities Permanent Secretary Colum Boyle, regarding the proposed budget reductions. 

 

8 June 2023
Homelessness
Characters holding bits of a jigsaw puzzle

Involving people in decisions about housing and homelessness

We asked Involve to research what is being done to involve 'experts by experience'  in decisions about housing policy and services.

6 June 2023
Homelessness
Two girls sitting on floor in housing talking, there are moving boxes around them

Tips for surviving a student rental

As students across Northern Ireland prepare for the next academic year, we’ve come up with some handy tips for anyone taking on a new rental tenancy.  

 

22 May 2023
Person holding a calculator that says mortgage

Changes to Support for Mortgage Interest

The Loans for Mortgage Interest (Amendment) Regulations 2023  came into effect on 3 April 2023. These regulations change some of the rules for claiming Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI).  

The government hopes these changes will make it easier for borrowers to get help through SMI during the cost of living crisis. But the Department for Work and Pensions recently estimated that the changes would only lead to an extra 900 families applying for the loan. 

27 April 2023
Faith Westwood — Practitioner Support Officer
generic street view with to let signs on houses

Changes to the private rented sector from 1 April 2023

The Private Tenancies Act received royal assent in April 2022. It created new notice to quit rules for landlords and tenants.  The act contains other changes to the private rented sector, however, regulations are needed to make these changes into law. Some of these regulations have now been put in place and will be effective from 1 April 2023. 

28 March 2023
Faith Westwood — Practitioner Support Officer
Private tenants Private rented sector Landlord
Brigitte standing beside artwork depicting the Housing Rights participation event

Experts by experience - involving people with housing and homelessness problems

We recently hosted an event bringing together experts by experience (people who have experienced housing problems or homelessness) with service providers, politicians and other key decision makers. Our goal was to talk about how we can involve experts by experience in the decisions that affect them.

19 December 2022
Kerry Logan — Participation and Policy Coordinator
Homelessness Social tenants Private tenants
Photo Kate McCauley

Kate McCauley appointed as Housing Rights new Chief Executive

Kate McCauley appointed as Housing Rights new Chief Executive. 

7 December 2022
Belfast courts

A welcome judicial review decision on intimidation points

The High Court has allowed a judicial review into the Housing Executive’s decision not to award intimidation points to a homeless applicant.

18 November 2022
Faith Westwood — Practitioner Support Officer
Students unpacking in living space

Guarantor advice and tips

A guarantor is someone who has agreed to pay rent if the tenant falls into arrears. They are also usually responsible for any damage to the property caused by the tenant.

4 May 2022
Guarantor
Hand holding a key with house keyring

New law changes notice to quit periods for private tenants in Northern Ireland

The Private Tenancies Act (NI) 2022 received royal assent on 27 April 2022. 

The only immediate change this new legislation brings is to notice periods for private tenancies which change on 5 May 2022. 

29 April 2022
Private tenants Tenancy Notice to quit
Father hugging small son

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