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Thoughts, views and expert insight from our policy team.

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Housing Rights policy team holding a sign saying home

Transforming prevention together

On Monday 14 September, Housing Rights held a special event in the Long Gallery at Stormont. We had an incredible turnout from government across all parties, public sector leaders, voluntary and community organisations and experts by experience

23 September 2026
Faith Westwood — Policy Officer
Homelessness assessment Homeless
Man sticking eviction notice on the door of the tenant stock photo

The future of notice to quit periods

When ending a private rented tenancy in Northern Ireland, a landlord or the tenant must issue a “notice to quit”. A notice to quit is a formal notification that either the tenant or the landlord wishes to end the tenancy.

24 June 2026
Ruairi McMenamin - Participation & Policy Officer – Renters’ Voice
Private tenants Private rented sector Rent Tenancy Eviction
Aerial view above rows of back to back terraced houses on a large council estate

Press release: Social Housing waiting list illustrates the depth of the Housing Crisis in Northern Ireland

When more than 50,000 households are on the social housing waiting list, and over 33,000 of them are homeless, the scale of the challenge is impossible to ignore.

29 May 2026
Homelessness Social tenants Social rented sector
Ryan, pictured for the Centre for Homelessness Impact's Photo Library

Supporting transformation in homelessness prevention

Housing Rights publishes discussion paper on proposed changes to homelessness law

23 April 2026
Homelessness Homeless
Homeless man on the street

Housing Rights responds to Stormont Committee’s Homelessness Inquiry report

 Housing Rights, today, welcomed the publication of the NI Assembly Public Accounts Committee’s report following its inquiry into homelessness. 

26 February 2026
Homelessness Homeless
Dr Kevin Cunningham, Threshold holding the all-island report

New All-Island Research Reveals a Housing System Under Strain — North and South

The idea that Northern Ireland’s housing crisis is following the same trajectory as the Republic of Ireland’s has been circulating for some time. Much of the public conversation has centred on the intense affordability pressures facing renters in both jurisdictions.

27 January 2026
Kate McCauley, Housing Rights CEO standing in front of a blue background smiling Kate McCauley — Chief Executive
Housing costs Rent arrears Private tenants Tenancy agreement Private rented sector Rent Tenancy Rent control
Dr Kevin Cunningham, Threshold, Stephen Morrison and Jamie Miller standing with the Threshold report

Threshold and Housing Rights launch first All-Island Private-Rented Sector Tenancy Survey research

National housing charity Threshold, and Northern Ireland's leading housing advice charity Housing Rights, have today launched an all-island research report entitled “Renting on the Island of Ireland: An All-Island Survey of Private Rented Sector Tenants” at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission office in Dublin. 

27 January 2026
Housing costs Rent arrears Private tenants Tenancy agreement Private rented sector Rent Tenancy Rent control
Male renters moving in a new home

Renters’ Voice view on illegal letting fees

Renters' Voice emphasises the need for stricter law enforcement on letting agents charging illegal fees to prospective tenants. 

18 December 2025
Ruairi McMenamin - Participation & Policy Officer – Renters’ Voice
Private tenants Private rented sector Rent Tenancy Eviction
Woman holding keys

Renters’ Rights Act and what it could mean in Northern Ireland

The Renters’ Rights Act has recently received Royal Assent in Westminster and will be implemented in England from 1st May 2026.

10 December 2025
Ruairi McMenamin - Participation & Policy Officer – Renters’ Voice
Private tenants Private rented sector Rent Tenancy Eviction
David Polley speaking at the PRS Conference to an engaged audience

Why a Focus on Private Rented Sector Makes Even More Sense Today?

At Housing Rights, we firmly believe that the best cure for homelessness is prevention in the first instance. 

9 December 2025
Stephen Morrison - Policy Lead
Homelessness Homeless Benefits Discretionary housing payment Rent arrears Private tenants Tenancy agreement Private rented sector Rent Rent arrears Tenancy Repairs Rent control