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Analysis of the Northern Ireland Tenant Debt Advice Service: the case for investing in independent debt advice for social housing tenants in rent arrears. As part of it Preventing Possession Initiative in March 2010 Housing Rights Service commenced a pilot debt advice service with a number of housing associations. This paper analyses the results of the cases referred and provides an insight into housing provider views who took part in the pilot. Research Period March 2010 - April 2011 Mortgage Debt Advice Service briefing to the Social Development Committee at Stormont No Defence ? Why People in Northern Ireland facing possession are losing out Response to Informal Call for Evidence: Support for Mortgage Interest Issued by the Department for Work and Pensions Housing Rights Service is keen to respond to this informal call for evidence paper and welcomes the opportunity to do so. SMI has been an important safety net for struggling homeowners to help maintain their mortgage payments in times of personal crisis such as loss of employment or sickness. We understand the argument for finding the right balance between Government making a reasonable contribution to homeowners’ housing costs and providing effective expenditure control for the taxpayer. However, we are not convinced that all of the proposals contained in this paper will necessarily achieve this balance nor do we believe they are the correct approach. A more sophisticated cost benefit analysis is required to ensure that these changes will not to give rise to increased public expenditure in the long term. Briefing to Social Development Committee on the Preventing Possession Initiative Representatives from Housing Rights Service were invited to brief the Social Development Committee on 10th June 2010. The Committee extended the invitation after reading the Research Paper into the effectiveness of Court representation. Response to Consultation Document: Debt Management (& Credit Repairs Services) Guidance Housing Rights Service welcomes this opportunity to respond to this OFT Consultation on Debt Management (and Credit Repair Services) Guidance. We very support the OFT’s approach to strengthening the guidance to prevent unfair and improper debt management practices. Housing Rights Service has long called for further consumer protection within the debt management industry to protect vulnerable clients in financial difficulty. Therefore we welcome the increased detail of the draft guidance and, in particular, the emphasis on ensuring that debt management businesses act in the best interests of consumers. We fully agree with section 2.2 that commercial interests should never be prioritised to the detriment of the consumer. Response to Consultation Document: Debt Collection- draft OFT guidance for creditors, debt collectors, law firms and other businesses engaged in recovery of consumer credit debts Housing Rights Service welcomes this opportunity to respond to this OFT Consultation on draft guidance for creditors, debt collectors, law firms and other businesses engaged in recovery of consumer credit debts. We very much support the OFT’s approach to strengthening the guidance to prevent unfair and improper debt recovery practices. Housing Rights Service has long called for further consumer protection within the debt collection industry to protect vulnerable clients in financial difficulty. Therefore we welcome the increased detail of the draft guidance and, in particular, preventing unfair business practices by emphasising the importance of allowing for reasonable repayment proposals to enable debtors to service their debt in a sustainable manner. Housing Rights Service is supportive of the Financial Services Authority’s (FSA) approach to combat irresponsible lending practices and encourage lenders to ensure that mortgage products sold to consumers must be appropriate and affordable. We have long advocated for better regulation of mortgage service providers, particularly sub prime lenders and intermediaries, to promote responsible lending and marketing practices. Response to questions 16-22 of the Financial Services Authority's consultation on Mortgage Market Review: Responsible Lending Housing Rights Service is supportive of the Financial Services Authority’s (FSA) approach to combat irresponsible lending practices and encourage lenders to ensure that mortgage products sold to consumers must be appropriate and affordable. Response to HM Treasury and Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment consultation on regulatory reform of credit unions Housing Rights Service is supportive of change that will enhance the ability of credit unions in NI to contribute to tackling financial exclusion. However, we believe this should be complemented by the development of a NI-specific, Executive led, Financial Inclusion Strategy. Response to Financial Services Authority Discussion Paper: Mortgage Market Review
Response to Financial Services Authority's consultation on regulating sale and rent back - the full regime This consultation proposes to follow on the interim regime and implement a full and detailed regulatory regime, to be effective as of 30 June 2010. The regulatory proposals are designed to implement a risk-based approach to sale and rent back (SRB) sales by providing appropriate protection for consumers against the potential detriments that exist within the SRB market. Policy paper on Financial inclusion and housing debt in Northern Ireland (NI) Housing Rights Service good practice briefing paper on mortgage rescue and flexible tenure schemes
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Response to Financial Services Authority Discussion Paper: Mortgage Market Review