In response to the Housing Executive’s annual request for a rent increase, the Department for Communities has confirmed that from 4 April 2023, Housing Executive rents will increase by 7%.
Rent pays for the housing services provided by the Housing Executive. This below-inflation increase will provide funding for essential maintenance, improvements and investment while also keeping the rent affordable for tenants.
The increase equates to an average additional £4.86 per week, increasing the average weekly rent for tenants from £69.49 to £74.35.
Tenant affordability was the Department’s key consideration. 78% of Housing Executive tenants are currently in receipt of housing assistance through either Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. These tenants will be protected from the impact of the rent increase.
For the other 22% of tenants (with no entitlement or a minimal entitlement to assistance with housing costs), the impact of the increase was modelled across a range of household scenarios all of which demonstrated its affordability.
The Housing Executive is offering support to tenants through its Financial Inclusion Team which helps tenants by providing advice on benefits, budgeting and signposting to a range of sources of financial support.
Housing Executive rent levels are considered every year by taking into account a wide range of factors, including: inflation; projected running costs; spending requirements and affordability.