27/10/2021

Green Party Proposes Rent Control Scheme For Belfast

The Green Party NI has proposed the introduction of a rent control scheme in Belfast, urging Belfast City Council to support the motion.

The party's Deputy Leader, Cllr Mal O'Hara, who introduced the motion, said: "We are currently in a cost of living crisis and a housing crisis, yet already unaffordable rents continue to rise. The Executive should be doing more to ensure that housing in Northern Ireland is affordable and good quality.

"Rent controls are a common policy across Europe, in the USA, and the Scottish Greens have recently secured a commitment to the introduction of rent controls in Scotland. It's important that we ensure that renters in Northern Ireland are not left behind, and are offered the same rights and protections as renters elsewhere."

The full motion reads: "This Council supports a system of rent controls in the City. This council notes with grave concern the escalating prices of rents in all parts of Belfast, notes the failure of the executive to regulate the rental market and notes the significant additional number of students moving to the city with the relocation of the University of Ulster campus to North Belfast. This council is concerned about the increasing number of Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) spreading across the city, the escalation of living costs, while wages stagnate and National Insurance contributions increase. This council calls on the Executive to immediately bring forward a Rent Control scheme for the City."

Cllr Mal O'Hara continued: "With 11,858 applications on the waiting list for social homes in Belfast, many are turning to the private rental sector for accommodation, and that's creating further demand which far outstrips current supply. The situation is unsustainable and the Executive need to act immediately so that people can access good quality housing at a fair price."

The motion will be debated at Belfast City Council on Monday 01 November.

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

21 February 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.
09 August 2023
DfC Launches Consultation On Funding For New Supply Of Affordable Homes
The Department for Communities (DfC) is seeking views on the delivery of new funding to introduce a new supply of Intermediate Rent homes. Growing the supply of more affordable, better quality homes for rent with longer-term tenancies is a key commitment for the Department for Communities.
27 May 2004
New rent books law comes into force
A new-style rent book for private tenants is to be introduced next week as part of new regulations for landlords and tenants contained in the recent Housing (NI) Order 2003. All private landlords in Northern Ireland have had a legal obligation to provide their tenants with a rent book since 1978.
06 May 2016
Traders Lobby For Lidl Store Expansion
The Connswater Traders' Association has urged politicians and planning officials to support a proposed store expansion by supermarket Lidl at the site. A decision is due to be made on the planning application later this month.
17 October 2013
Belfast Council Launches Business Development Programme
Local manufacturers are being offered help with reducing costs and increasing profits through a new business development programme funded by Belfast City Council. The Manufacturing Efficiency Programme is open to small and medium-sized companies in the city from the manufacturing subsectors.