Summary
The Department for Communities, as part of a programme of work to explore the development of new, good quality, secure and affordable rent products, is exploring the introduction of a new model of affordable rental homes known as “Intermediate Rent”.
Documents
- Intermediate Rent - Summary document
- Intermediate Rent Consultation Outcome Report
- Consultation on Intermediate Rent Development of Policy and Model
- Consultation on Intermediate Rent - Easy Read
- Establishing an evidence base for the development of a viable intermediate rent model for the Northern Ireland housing market
Consultation description
The Department issued proposals around the shape of an Intermediate Rent model including detail on funding, delivery and tenant eligibility to seek the views of interested parties.
The Department commissioned research and analysis by the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE) around the need for an Intermediate Rent product in the NI housing market, the potential demand, and the mechanisms required to make a product viable to develop, deliver and live in. The CaCHE report, “Establishing an evidence base for the development of a viable intermediate rent model for the Northern Ireland housing market” was published alongside the consultation.
The Housing Executive commissioned further research on behalf of the Department and delivered by Ulster University: “Exploring the Provision of an Intermediate Rent Product for Northern Ireland” following the Department’s consultation. This research report examines prospective tenant and delivery partner views on a new Intermediate Rent product.
The Department has continued to review the equality impacts associated with the policy and a further equality screening can be viewed on the Communities website.
Following a consultation on the proposals for a new Intermediate Rent policy and model, the Department has considered the feedback received.
The analysis of feedback and the Department’s response and next steps are set out in the Consultation Outcome Report (above).
A summary document setting out the Intermediate Rent policy principles as outlined in the Consultation Outcome Report was published in October 2022. These policy principles have been expanded and set in context within the Intermediate Rent Policy Document (March 2022). An associated ‘Homes for Intermediate Rent Design Standards’ document has also been published.
Ways to respond
Consultation closed — responses are no longer being accepted.