The Welfare Reform Bill NI (2011) & Housing 

The Equality Impact Assessment is out for consultation with a deadline of 30th November. The timescale for its introduction is dependant on when it its corresponding legislation in Britain receives Royal Assent and whether or not the NI Assembly agrees to accelerated passage locally. DSD anticipate it will be effective from April 2013 and it will see the introduction of the following changes:

Universal credit
• Single payment income related benefit for working age claimants (combining JSA, ESA, tax credits & HB)
• Phased in 2013-17
   new claims for “out of work” benefits Oct 2013
   new claims “in work” benefits Apr 2014
   existing claims Oct 2013-17
• Single monthly payment in arrears to one nominated person in household (including housing costs) Some exceptions for vulnerable groups
• Help with housing costs for people of pension ages will be amalgamated with Pension Credit

HB changes from April 2013
• Restrictions for under occupancy in social rented housing (working aged) estimated at £7-£14 per week
• Household benefit cap for working age of approx £350-£500 p/w – any overpayment likely to be taken off housing costs
• LHA up-rating will switch to Consumer Price Index (currently Retail Price Index)

Fundamental review of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive

DSD has commissioned PWC to carry out a fundamental review of NIHE’s services to determine the future strategic direction of travel. PWC is proposing that:

• NIHE’s landlord function and strategic function be separated
• A new landlord body is established on a mutual/social economy enterprise basis to manage all NIHE stock
• A housing regulator is set up to oversee all housing tenures
• Housing and homelessness assessments to move to the Social Security Agency.

The Minister does not have to accept any of the PWC recommendations and will be making his announcement before Christmas. It is likely that this will form the basis of a public consultation. PWC’s proposed timescale for implementation is April 2014. After Christmas the Minister plans to focus on the beginning of the rationalization of housing associations.

Housing legislation

The Housing (Amendment) Act (NI) 2011 has received Royal Assent. It includes:

• Mandatory private landlord registration (regulations to be laid before the Assembly by November 2012)
• Protection of tenants’ deposits requiring landlords to use a deposit scheme (regulations to be laid by November 2012)
• Increased fines for non compliance with HMO registration up to a maximum of £20,000
• An extension to Notice to Quit periods to two months where the length of the tenancy is over five years and three months where the tenancy is over ten years (with effect from 30 June 2011)
• Abolition of statement of tenancy terms for private tenants and
• Allowing the Housing Executive to enter into energy brokering schemes.

Housing benefit changes

On the 1st April 2011 significant changes were introduced in Northern Ireland relating to Local Housing Allowance visit our advice site www.housingadviceNI.org for further details.

For up to date developments in the NI Assembly, visit the Social Development Committee's pages.