Menu
21/02/2023
Housing Executive Announces 7% Rent Increase
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has announced a 7% rent increase from 04 April, 2023.
This equates to an average increase of £4.86 per week and will bring the average rent for a Housing Executive home to £74.35 a week, excluding rates
Approximately 78% of Housing Executive tenants receive full or partial Housing Benefit support or Universal Credit towards their rent.
Each tenant will receive a letter over the next week detailing their new rent level.
Grainia Long, Chief Executive, said: "We are acutely aware of the financial pressures being faced by our tenants. Working alongside the Department for Communities, we wanted to ensure that the impact on tenant's affordability was kept to minimum, while at the same time make sure that we can continue to invest in our homes and provide tenant services.
"Rents pay for services to tenants. The decision to increase rents ensures ongoing investment in our tenants' homes and continued provision of customer and neighbourhood services.
"A further rent freeze would have amounted to a cut in services, whereas the new rent level will improve our ability to invest in our stock and work to keep our tenants safe, warm and dry, and ensure sustainable levels of pay for our staff. It has also taken into the account the rate of inflation and rising costs for goods and materials.
"Last year we invested over £190m in maintaining and improving our homes and we are on track to increase this investment beyond £200m this year. The rent increase will be invested straight back into our houses and our customer services.
"Over recent months we have grown our Financial Inclusion Team to provide benefits checks to make sure tenants are receiving everything they are entitled to and to help resolve complex benefits issues. The team will advise tenants on other specialist sources of debt advice and other sources of financial support.
"We encourage any tenant who is having difficulty paying their rent, to immediately contact us for assistance and advice."
This equates to an average increase of £4.86 per week and will bring the average rent for a Housing Executive home to £74.35 a week, excluding rates
Approximately 78% of Housing Executive tenants receive full or partial Housing Benefit support or Universal Credit towards their rent.
Each tenant will receive a letter over the next week detailing their new rent level.
Grainia Long, Chief Executive, said: "We are acutely aware of the financial pressures being faced by our tenants. Working alongside the Department for Communities, we wanted to ensure that the impact on tenant's affordability was kept to minimum, while at the same time make sure that we can continue to invest in our homes and provide tenant services.
"Rents pay for services to tenants. The decision to increase rents ensures ongoing investment in our tenants' homes and continued provision of customer and neighbourhood services.
"A further rent freeze would have amounted to a cut in services, whereas the new rent level will improve our ability to invest in our stock and work to keep our tenants safe, warm and dry, and ensure sustainable levels of pay for our staff. It has also taken into the account the rate of inflation and rising costs for goods and materials.
"Last year we invested over £190m in maintaining and improving our homes and we are on track to increase this investment beyond £200m this year. The rent increase will be invested straight back into our houses and our customer services.
"Over recent months we have grown our Financial Inclusion Team to provide benefits checks to make sure tenants are receiving everything they are entitled to and to help resolve complex benefits issues. The team will advise tenants on other specialist sources of debt advice and other sources of financial support.
"We encourage any tenant who is having difficulty paying their rent, to immediately contact us for assistance and advice."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 March 2024
Executive Committed To 'Better Shared Future For Everyone'
A key priority for Northern Ireland's newly restored Executive is "delivering a better shared future for everyone", the First Minister and deputy First Minister have told the NI Bureau breakfast event in Washington.
Executive Committed To 'Better Shared Future For Everyone'
A key priority for Northern Ireland's newly restored Executive is "delivering a better shared future for everyone", the First Minister and deputy First Minister have told the NI Bureau breakfast event in Washington.
01 March 2024
Executive Agrees Increase In Regional Rate For 2024/25
The Executive has agreed an increase in the regional rate for 2024/25, to rise is line with inflation. If substantially approved by the Assembly, the regional rate element of the bill would add 46p per week to the bill for a domestic property with an average capital value of £123,000 and £10.
Executive Agrees Increase In Regional Rate For 2024/25
The Executive has agreed an increase in the regional rate for 2024/25, to rise is line with inflation. If substantially approved by the Assembly, the regional rate element of the bill would add 46p per week to the bill for a domestic property with an average capital value of £123,000 and £10.
28 February 2024
SDLP 'Disbelief' Over Origin Of £400m Reallocated Funding
The SDLP have expressed their "disbelief" over the Executive's failure to clarify what impact a remaining £400m in reallocated funding could have on public sector bodies and community organisations. Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole was speaking after questioning Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald in the Assembly on Tuesday.
SDLP 'Disbelief' Over Origin Of £400m Reallocated Funding
The SDLP have expressed their "disbelief" over the Executive's failure to clarify what impact a remaining £400m in reallocated funding could have on public sector bodies and community organisations. Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole was speaking after questioning Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald in the Assembly on Tuesday.
09 February 2024
Chief Constable Criticised For Not Inviting UUP To PNSI Graduation
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has criticised PNSI Chief Constable, Jon Boutcher, for his failure to invite their party leader, Doug Beattie, to the PSNI Graduation Ceremony. UUP member of the Policing Board, Mike Nesbitt, said: "For the avoidance of doubt, I welcome the fact Michelle O'Neill MLA will attend in her capacity as First Minister.
Chief Constable Criticised For Not Inviting UUP To PNSI Graduation
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has criticised PNSI Chief Constable, Jon Boutcher, for his failure to invite their party leader, Doug Beattie, to the PSNI Graduation Ceremony. UUP member of the Policing Board, Mike Nesbitt, said: "For the avoidance of doubt, I welcome the fact Michelle O'Neill MLA will attend in her capacity as First Minister.
07 February 2024
Executive To Present 'United Case For Fair And Just Settlement'
The Executive will take a united case for a fair and just settlement for public sector workers and public services to Westminster, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have said.
Executive To Present 'United Case For Fair And Just Settlement'
The Executive will take a united case for a fair and just settlement for public sector workers and public services to Westminster, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have said.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry and sunny start but cloud bubbling up with a few showers developing from late morning. Sunny intervals and scattered showers in the afternoon, these could be heavy at times. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Remaining cloudy with a few showers continuing through the evening. Some drier, clearer spells in the early hours, before cloud builds and showers turn more persistent towards dawn. Minimum temperature 4 °C.
