NI Private Tenants Forum

NI Private Tenants' Forum

Housing Rights had previously helped set up The NI Private Tenants' Forum was established in 2012. It was set up against the backdrop of a changing sector in Northern Ireland. From 1991 – 2011 there was a huge increase of 505% in the number of people living in the private rented sector. There are now nearly 1 in 5 people living in the sector. This trend looks set to continue. 

The Forum played an important part in raising awareness of particular issues and has carried out a range of work including:

• Producing an Agenda for Action
• Carrying out a mystery shopping exercise into letting fees
• Creating an animated film on what to look out for in private rented accommodation
• Meeting with key decision makers including the Social Development Committee and
• Winning a Chartered Institute for Housing Award for ‘More than Bricks and Mortar’.

The aims and objectives of the Private Tenants' Forum

The aim of the forum is to encourage tenant participation in shaping relevant legislation, policy and practice in the PRS.

The objectives of the forum were to:

• To actively influence legislation, policy and practice in areas relevant to private tenants.
• To provide a supportive environment for PRS tenants to voice and share views.
• To help create a culture that is committed to the principles of tenant involvement in the future development of the PRS.
• To support and encourage improvement of the PRS