11 January 2007

NORTHERN IRELAND HOUSING EXECUTIVE RENT INCREASE PEGGED

Housing Executive rents will be pegged to inflation for the 2007/08 financial year, the Social Development Minister announced today.

David Hanson MP confirmed that the increase, which comes into effect from 2nd April, will be 3.6%. He said: “In reaching my decision I took account of a number of factors. The increase will be relatively modest working out at £1.64 per week on average. Tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit will be exempt from paying.”

The average Housing Executive weekly rent is currently £47.37, excluding rates. This is around £12 less than for local authority accommodation in England.

The Department is conscious that there are some tenants, particularly older people with small occupational pensions, who do not qualify for housing benefit. The Housing Executive has been asked to ensure that people living on the margins are not missing out on important benefit.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

1. The 3.6% increase is based on the Retail Price Index at September 2006.
2. The Housing Executive will advise all tenants of their new weekly rent which will apply from 2 April 2007.

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