Lucky Northern Ireland

The move is one of a number of ideas outlined in a draft tenant participation strategy published yesterday for consultation by the Department for Social Development (DSD). The strategy aims to boost tenant participation in social housing decisions.

Landlords will be ‘assessed and inspected’ to make sure they are in line with the proposed new regulatory standard, the document says.

Mervyn Storey, minister for social development, said: ‘I want this strategy to challenge all social housing landlords to increase the extent and effectiveness of tenant participation and empowerment in Northern Ireland.’

The consultation document also proposes the Northern Ireland government supports the setting up of a new sector-wide independent tenant support body.

Northern Ireland currently does not have a sector-wide organisation similar to the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) in England, Scotland and Wales. The Housing Community Network – which allows council tenants to liaise with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive – does not cover all tenants.

The document said: ‘An organisation like TPAS should be available to all tenants in Northern Ireland. The organisation should be supported by government.’

The DSD is also pledging to:

• Work with stakeholders to develop tenant support – and make a strong case for government funds to support this
• Provide guidance on setting up tenant panels at a local level
• Seek funding to support local tenants’ organisations
• Establish an advocate for tenants
• Work to establish a ‘housing policy panel’  representing social housing tenants
• Bring forward proposals for tenants to be given the right to manage or own their estates.

The consultation runs until 8 April. It is the first of a number of consulations making up a wider social housing reform programme.