Speaking as Alliance launched proposals calling for a New Deal for Private Renters, the Strangford MLA warned unaffordable rent hikes, lack of security and long delays for basic repairs are making life miserable for private renters across Northern Ireland.
The paper calls for an affordable rents ‘triple lock’, including the rent increase limit, an annual review of local housing allowance and a ban on inflation-busting rent hikes during tenancies. It also suggests a ban on no fault evictions, capping short-term holiday lets and creating a local Housing Ombudsman with legal powers to protect renters.
“For too many private renters in Northern Ireland today, life is defined by a constant fight to keep a roof over your head, spiralling rent hikes and the ever-present threat of being evicted and ending up homeless”, said Ms Armstrong.
“These challenges aren’t new, but the Communities Minister has made no tangible progress in tackling them in over a year of being in office. He’s asleep at the wheel while our private renters struggle to put food on the table and rely on emergency credit to survive between paydays.
“There are over 300,000 people living in the local private rented sector and they deserve the same protections and security enjoyed by renters elsewhere. Legal mechanisms, including limiting rent increases to once a year, as well as a raft of other measures outlined in the Alliance New Deal for Private Renters, would end the daily misery faced by so many private renters across Northern Ireland.”
The paper calls for an affordable rents ‘triple lock’, including the rent increase limit, an annual review of local housing allowance and a ban on inflation-busting rent hikes during tenancies. It also suggests a ban on no fault evictions, capping short-term holiday lets and creating a local Housing Ombudsman with legal powers to protect renters.
“For too many private renters in Northern Ireland today, life is defined by a constant fight to keep a roof over your head, spiralling rent hikes and the ever-present threat of being evicted and ending up homeless”, said Ms Armstrong.
“These challenges aren’t new, but the Communities Minister has made no tangible progress in tackling them in over a year of being in office. He’s asleep at the wheel while our private renters struggle to put food on the table and rely on emergency credit to survive between paydays.
“There are over 300,000 people living in the local private rented sector and they deserve the same protections and security enjoyed by renters elsewhere. Legal mechanisms, including limiting rent increases to once a year, as well as a raft of other measures outlined in the Alliance New Deal for Private Renters, would end the daily misery faced by so many private renters across Northern Ireland.”