All Housing Rights Service Professional Resource Range are available for purchase and download from our online shop. If you prefer a harcopy of these resources please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Housing Rights Professional Resource on Housing Costs: what the abolition of Housing Benefit will mean

The Welfare Reform Act 2012 received Royal Assent earlier this year, followed in October by the Welfare Reform Bill for NI. It represents a radical overhaul of the social security system and includes a number of measures which could have a negative impact on the housing situation of vulnerable and low income households.

This Professional Resource offers a timely look at the Government’s welfare reform agenda and highlights any variations in the implementation of the legislation between NI and GB.

The topics which will be covered include:

• An overview of the welfare reform agenda, including changes which have already been implemented;
• The creation of a new Universal Credit, the abolition of Housing Benefit and what it means for people who get help with their housing costs;
• The introduction of a ‘bedroom tax’ and its impact on social rented tenants who are under-occupying their accommodation;
• The ‘benefit cap’ and how it will affect the income household incomes.

This resource should be of benefit to:

• Both new and experienced advisers who need an overview of Welfare Reform and the impact these changes will have on the current benefits system and people's ability to pay for their accommodation.
• Constituency office workers
• Community/residents groups
• Hostel workers

Price: £9.95 per copy (Members of Housing Rights Service pay £5.00 per copy) Shop Online

Housing Rights Professional Resource on Money Matters in the Private Rented Sector

The private rented sector is increasingly becoming the main housing option for many people in Northern Ireland.
However, existing and prospective tenants can face a number of financial obstacles in terms of accessing private rented accommodation and sustaining their tenancies.

This Professional Resource examines the financial aspects of renting a property from a private landlord and the help which may be available to tenants if they have financial problems.

In particular, it looks at:

• Deposits, including forthcoming changes on deposit protection and rent in advance
• Responsibility for the payment of household rates
• Local Housing Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Landlord repossessions and the impact on tenants.

This Professional Resource is essential for private landlords, letting agencies, solicitors, Environmental Health Officers and anyone involved in advising private tenants.

Price: £9.95 per copy. (Members of Housing Rights Service pay £5.00 per copy). Shop online

Possession Proceedings in the Social Rented Sector - New 2nd Edition

This detailed publication examines the relevant legislation, policy and procedures which apply when a social landlord is seeking possession of accommodation occupied by secure tenants, introductory tenants and illegal occupants.

It covers the following areas:
• Statutory grounds for possession;
• Court procedures;
• Grounds for challenging possession proceedings;
• The role of the Enforcement of Judgments Office; and
• Rehousing options for persons whose home is repossessed.

This publication has been fully updated to include the latest developments in the application of the Human Rights Act 1998 in relation to possession proceedings, especially in terms of introductory tenants.

It is an essential resource for anyone advising clients who are living in the social rented sector and at risk of facing possession action. It would be particularly useful for welfare rights/housing advisers, social landlords and members of the legal profession.

Price: £9.95 per copy.  (Members of Housing Rights Service pay £5.00 per copy) Shop online

Professional Resource on Mortgage Debt

This resource examines the different forbearance options which may be available to owner occupiers who are at risk of losing their home because of housing debt.

It also looks at some of the fundamentals which need to be understood before advising a client in this situation including:

• types of mortgages

• the Northern Ireland ‘Pre-Action Protocol for Possession Proceedings based on Mortgage Arrears in respect of Residential Property’ and what is expected of the parties prior to court action

• the role of the Financial Services Authority and the Council of  Mortgage Lenders

• the steps in dealing with housing debt,

• court action and possible outcomes

This should prove to be a vital publication for anyone advising owner occupiers faced with losing their home; in particular housing advisers, debt advisers, legal professionals, financial advisers and lenders.

Price: £9.95 per copy.  (Members of Housing Rights Service pay £5.00 per copy) Shop online

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Professional Resource on The Private Tenancies (NI) Order 2006 - New 2nd Edition

The Private Tenancies (NI) Order 2006 is the first major piece of legislation concerning the private rented sector to be passed for almost 30 years.

This publication is essential for anyone working as a legal professional, welfare rights/housing adviser or estate agent/letting agent.

This second edition now includes crucial updates following the implementation of the Housing (Amendment) Act (NI) 2011.

Price: £9.95 per copy (Members of Housing Rights Service pay £5.00 per copy) Shop online

Professional Resource on Challenging Homelessness Decisions

A comprehensive publication has been produced on the new statutory process for challenging homelessness decisions in Northern Ireland. This guide is an essential resource for anyone advising on how to challenge homelessness decisions and will be particularly useful to voluntary sector advisers and members of the legal profession.

Price: £9.95 per copy.  (Members of Housing Rights Service pay £5.00 per copy) Shop online

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