Privately rented homes in Northern Ireland (NI) have long been a source of insecurity and financial strain for tenants with rising rents, inadequate protections, and a lack of affordable options. Earlier this year, a new Bill brought these issues to the Assembly in Stormont. The People’s Housing Bill is a Private Members Bill introduced by Assembly Member Gerry Carroll, which aims to bring an end to the devastating housing crisis affecting so many communities throughout the North.
The Crisis in Numbers
Almost 48,000 households now languish on the housing waiting list, while over 36,000 families endure “housing stress”. These numbers come at a time when rents continue to soar and renters face poor standards and insecurity. In 2022, the NI Housing Executive found that around 45% of private renters spent more than 30% of their income on rent — the common threshold below which rents are considered affordable. As well as this, in 2016, the NI Housing Executive found that almost 1 in 10 (9%) of all dwellings in Northern Ireland were considered dangerous.
The People’s Housing Bill
The proposed People’s Housing Bill seeks to ban no-fault evictions, putting a stop to tenants being forced from their homes without a legitimate reason, along with strong rent controls, including an immediate rent freeze. The Bill also calls for longer tenancies, with a default minimum of five years to give people security in their homes.
To further protect housing standards and tenant rights, it also proposes the establishment of a dedicated Rental Board, tasked with enforcing minimum fitness standards and fair rent practices. Finally, by bringing vacant homes back into use, the Bill aims to address the chronic shortage of social homes, with the aim of creating a more secure and equitable rental market.
Generation Rent’s Perspective
The People’s Housing Bill is a huge opportunity for the people of Northern Ireland. Not only could this work to bring the devolved nation in line with other UK countries but even surpass them. We have told the Northern Irish Assembly what we believe the Bill should include through its consultation on the proposed Bill.
We believe that a comprehensive solution must include:
- Capping Rent Increases: Align rent hikes with what tenants can reasonably afford—capping them at either inflation or wage growth, whichever is lower.
- Banning no-fault evictions and enhancing notice periods: Tenants should be given a minimum notice period of at least four months (with relocation relief such as waiving the last two months’ rent) to prepare for a move. (For context, the Welsh government already offers six months’ notice and is currently considering the latter protection.) We also note that Scotland has already restricted evictions to a limited set of valid grounds, and England is in the process of doing so, while Wales has restricted use of no-grounds evictions.
- Ensuring clear renters’ rights in cases where landlords fail to maintain safe homes: Renters must have access to an independent ombudsman to lodge complaints on landlord negligence, the ability to arrange and finance necessary repairs (with costs deducted directly from the rent), and entitlement to an automatic rent refund if landlords fail basic obligations such as proper registration. Additionally, renters should expect prompt council intervention in unsafe living conditions—including taking over property management and banning non-compliant landlords—and the assurance that their homes meet at least a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C to guarantee affordability in heating and reduce issues like dampness and mould.
- Utilising Empty Homes: Introduce a policy to double the council tax on long-term vacant properties, encouraging owners to refurbish or promptly re-market their homes. This measure would discourage extended vacancies—even when properties remain empty as owners prepare to sell or let—thereby helping to alleviate the housing shortage by getting more homes into use sooner.
By integrating these vital tenant protections with proactive measures to increase housing supply, we believe Northern Ireland can transform its rental market into one that’s fair, sustainable, and truly in the service of its people.
NI Assembly Housing Bill Debate
The Bill was debated in February, with Gerry Carroll MLA making the case for change, describing the rental system in the North as an “under-regulated Wild West” where landlords hold disproportionate power.
Carroll highlighted the human cost of the housing crisis, from families forced into homelessness to tenants living in substandard conditions. He challenged the narrative that rent controls would destabilise the market, pointing to successful models in European countries where such measures coexist with a thriving private rented sector. For Carroll, the right to housing must take precedence over landlords’ profits.
Housing Minister Gordon Lyons responded on behalf of the Northern Irish Executive. While he recognised that tenant protections are critical, he argued that the root of the crisis lay in a constrained housing supply.
He outlined the Executive’s housing strategy, which included:
- Boosting housing supply: Driving cross-departmental collaboration and investing heavily in social housing.
- Introducing intermediate rent schemes: Offering discounted rents (at 80% of market rates) to support lower-income households.
- Reforming the private rented sector: Capping the frequency of rent increases and extending notice periods for evictions, giving tenants clearer expectations and improved security.
- Enhancing housing standards: Rolling out new regulations on fire safety, energy efficiency, and enforcing stricter landlord registration.
Following the debate, Gerry Carroll MLA can now submit a final proposal to the Assembly Speaker, which will likely reduce the number of things the Bill seeks to change, in order to improve its chances of success.
We’ll be working with all parties in Stormont to support the Bill and push the Executive to go further on its plans for private renters.
Are you struggling with private renting? Support our campaign by telling us your story here.
