“To this end, I am bringing forward legislative proposals which will strengthen the powers afforded to landlords to deal with the most serious cases of anti-social behaviour in our society”
A Stormont bill seeking new landlord powers to reject anti-social tenants from being rehoused will come to the Assembly in the new year amid a council plea to stop the “mayhem”.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council had lobbied the Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons to review the allocation system of housing associations when it came to “unacceptable behaviour” of residents.
The unanimous call from the Lagan Valley chamber had come following the murder of Barry Furfey at an apartment on the Wardsborough Road in Lisburn.
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A letter from Minster Lyons on his plans for new legislation has been seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service and is due to be presented to LCCC later this month.
It reads: “My department has requested that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) implement the findings of the Fundamental Review of Social Housing Allocations, which is a review into how social homes are allocated within the Housing Selection Scheme.
“The aim of this review is to ensure the prioritising of housing need in a fair and transparent manner.
“To this end, I am bringing forward legislative proposals which will strengthen the powers afforded to landlords to deal with the most serious cases of anti-social behaviour in our society.
“Under the proposals, the NIHE will have strengthened powers to deem an applicant ineligible for social housing or Full Duty Applicant (homelessness) status due to unacceptable behaviour.
“This should have a positive impact by dealing with such behaviour more pro-actively and negate circumstances in which applicants who have engaged in serious anti-social behaviour are granted a tenancy.”
It adds: “Additionally, the proposals include legislative changes regarding injunctions against unacceptable behaviour and possession powers for social landlords which will enable a more effective and efficient process for reacting to unacceptable behaviour within a tenancy and if serious, ending of a tenancy.
“As an update, I can advise that the Northern Ireland Executive recently approved the policy proposals and it is anticipated that a bill including the above proposals could be introduced to the Assembly in early 2026, subject to Executive agreement.”
A further request by LCCC for the PSNI and housing associations to share data on tenants has also been highlighted with the Minister saying he “would certainly encourage continued collaboration between the PSNI and Registered Housing Associations (RHAs) to aid the effective sharing of information and help address unacceptable behaviour.”
Lisburn North DUP councillor, Jonathan Craig who brought forward the anti-social behaviour motion at Lagan Valley, spoke to the LDRS.
He said:”I am delighted that Minister Lyons is taking forward legislation to address the concerns I raised regarding tenants that persistently carry out anti-social behaviour and damage the properties they reside in.
“It is fantastic to see the Assembly Minister addressing very serious issues of concern to local communities. This is local democracy working for local communities.
“It is good to see that he intends to give the Housing Executive and social housing providers further abilities to deal with wayward tenants and I have no doubt he will deal with the issue of housing providers not sharing information regarding tenants and their tenancy history.
“This will help organisations such as the housing executive and other social providers deal with tenants who consistently do harm to neighbours and rented property causing absolute mayhem to the community they live in.”
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