Copeland - Government should lead by example on Housing Legislation
East Belfast UUP spokesman Michael Copeland said new legislation that will limit private landlords and rack-renters from extorting tenants who dwell in sub-standard accommodation should also be applied to the Housing Executive.
In a statement Mr Copeland said,
“Government recently introduced legislation designed to protect tenants from landlords renting sub-standard accommodation from hiking their prices up. This is a welcome move but it will do little unless it is applied to the government’s own housing agencies, some of whom are the biggest culprits in the supply of sub-standard accommodation.
In Northern Ireland the Housing Executive is struggling from a lack of funding and a decreasing quality in the standard of its properties which is exacerbated by an increasing level of demand.
If government are to apply new rules to private landlords then they should lead by example and get their own housing agencies in check too. With a large number of people looking for that most basic human right – a decent place to live – it is vital that the government provides not only affordable housing for those that need it most, but also ensures that the standard of that housing is up to scratch. I have to say in my experience to date of dealing with a great many housing cases, this is not the way things currently stand.”