The Department for Communities has confirmed that Housing Executive rents will increase by 7.7 per cent from 1 April.

Every year rent levels are considered by taking into account inflation, projected running costs, spending requirements and affordability.

At present, 79 per cent of Housing Executive tenants are currently in receipt of housing assistance. These tenants will be protected from the impact of the rent increase.

-- Advertisement --

For the other 21 per cent of tenants who do not receive housing assistance, the impact of the increase was modelled across a range of household scenarios all of which demonstrated its affordability.

Rent supports housing services provided by the Housing Executive. This rent increase will provide funding for essential maintenance, improvements and investment while also keeping the rent affordable for tenants.

Tenants can received support through the Housing Executive's Financial Inclusion Team which helps tenants by providing advice on benefits, budgeting and signposting to a range of sources of financial support.