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When everyone has a home

028 9024 5640: Housing & Debt Helpline for Northern Ireland

May 2020

Ending the right to buy for housing associations

21 May 2020

Next week the Northern Ireland Assembly is due to debate the Housing Amendment Bill (NI) 2020. The Bill will go through the Assembly by accelerated passage and will amend existing laws for Housing Associations to facilitate the reversal of the 2016 ONS reclassification which made Housing Associations public bodies.

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Social Tenancies, Policy

ADVISER: Vicars Relief Fund helps client establish their tenancy

19 May 2020

One of our advisers recently had a very positive outcome for a client who was looking forward to starting her new tenancy but quickly came up against a problem. 

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Money Matters, Affordability, Adviser

Restrictions remain in place for NI property market

18 May 2020

Confusion around the relaxation of movement restrictions in England have led to an increase in calls to our helpline from tenants who have been told to facilitate property viewings and inspections. There has been no change to the regulations in Northern Ireland which do exempt landlords or other property professionals from the general restrictions on public gatherings, movement and travel. The advice remains to stay at home.

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Coronavirus, Private Tenancies

Covid 19 causes 80% increase in UC claims

12 May 2020

Over 126,000 people in Northern Ireland were claiming Universal Credit on 26 April 2020, an increase of 80% from the figure of 70,000 claimants just 8 weeks earlier on 1 March, according to recently released information from the Department for Communities. The number of applications during that 8-week period totalled 65,700.

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Benefits, Coronavirus, Welfare Reform

Rate rebate system scheduled downtime

7 May 2020

Land & Property Services has advised that its online rate rebate portal is unavailable between Monday 4 May and Monday 11 May. This is an annual occurence to allow for the uprating of claims.

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Benefits, Affordability

New legislation extends notice to quit periods to 12 weeks

6 May 2020
Notice to quit picture

From 5 May 2020 until 30 September 2020 any notice to quit issued by a landlord of a private tenancy must be given to the tenant at least 12 weeks' in advance of the date on which it takes effect. 

Housing Rights welcomes the official passage of emergency legislation which gives private renters enhanced protection against eviction during the period of Covid19.

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Coronavirus, Private Tenancies

FCA measures to help indebted customers during lockdown

4 May 2020

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has made a number of changes which will give breathing space to people struggling with consumer debt during the lockdown. These temporary measures include assistance for people with overdrafts, credit cards, motor finance packages, payday loans and "buy now pay later" arrangements.

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Coronavirus, Regulation, Repossession, Affordability