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Letting fees in Northern Ireland

28 June 2013

We recently carried out an undercover survey of 40 NI based lettings agencies to find out more about the fees and charges that prospective tenants are forced to hand over before they can find rented accommodation.

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Private Tenants Forum, Private Tenancies, Affordability

Adviser: Rates liability in the private rented sector

28 June 2013

Imagine you’re a private tenant, paying rent each month and confident that you’re doing everything that’s required of you. One day you open your post to find a final demand from Land & Property Services insisting that you pay £2000+ by the end of the month or face court. It’s particularly confusing when your tenancy agreement says your rent includes rates and your landlord’s responsible for paying these to LPS.

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Private Tenancies, Practical tips, Affordability, Adviser

Private Tenants Forum responds to review of rates liability

28 June 2013

The Private Tenants Forum, a group of tenants in private rented accommodation who have come together to campaign for better conditions, has responded to the Department of Finance & Personnel's recent consultation on a review of rates liability in the landlord sector.

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Landlord, Private Tenancies, Private Tenants Forum

Adviser: Rates & housing benefit problems

28 June 2013

Last year Alison came to Housing Rights Service for help. She was being threatened with bankruptcy over rates arrears of almost £7000. I took on her case and here's what happened.