Policy and market developments in Northern Ireland
Last reviewed 10/08/2011: any recent updates in this colour.
The Commission was launched in April 2009. It has a broad remit and will consider a range of strategic policy issues against the backdrop of the banking crisis and recession, as well as the diminished housing budget of the Northern Ireland Executive in the coming period. The Chartered Institute of Housing issued a press release that provides more detail on the remit and composition of the Commission.
Clearly, the Commission will have to consider issues such as:
- Future levels of home ownership and other housing tenures over the longer term.
- Approaches to low-cost and sustainable home ownership.
- The future of the private rented sector. The future role of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and the possibility of stock transfer to housing associations or reconstitution of the NIHE itself to facilitate levering private finance.
The Commission will take evidence from the CML and provides an important opportunity to discuss key housing issues.
Statutory HMO registration and HMO strategy
The NIHE introduced statutory registration of houses in Multiple Occupation in Northern Ireland in 2008. Registration is for five year periods and fees will range from £375 to £1,250 for the five year period depending on the maximum number of occupants.
In June 2009 the NIHE published their Houses in Multiple Occupation Strategy 2009. This is intended to promote better physical standards, enable the NIHE to collect better information about the sector, ensure that HMOs are well managed, cut down on adverse effects on tenants and contribute to regeneration strategies. The strategy will involve more HMOs becoming liable for registration and other changes including improved space and security standards.
