Northern Ireland government unveils Intermediate Rent housing policy

Northern Ireland’s Department for Communities has published a new affordable housing policy which aims to create an additional supply of ‘Intermediate Rent’ homes, providing a new housing option below market prices.

Intermediate Rent seeks to offer a more secure, affordable and supportive rental option for eligible households who are struggling with the costs of market rentals.

Intermediate Rent tenancies are private rented tenancies that offer more benefits than open market private rented tenancies, including rents set at least 20% below local market rates for similar property types and sizes.

They will be targeted at people on lower and moderate incomes. All the rights and obligations in place in respect of any private tenancy apply to Intermediate Rent tenancies.

A spokesperson for the Department for Communities said: ‘The publication of the Intermediate Rent policy sets in place another lever to deliver an additional supply of affordable rental homes for low to moderate income households.

‘The policy aims to reduce the barriers which some households face in accessing or maintaining a rented home, such as tenancy insecurity, limited support services and, critically, unaffordably high rents.’

Homes offered as Intermediate Rent should offer responsive maintenance to ensure tenants have a good quality well-maintained home throughout their tenancy. The publication of a ‘Homes for Intermediate Rent: Design Standards’ guide alongside the policy sets out the expected design and finish standards associated with Intermediate Rent homes.

Intermediate Rent is one of a range of measures aimed at increasing the supply of, and access to, affordable housing. The delivery of more affordable housing is a central tenet of the draft Housing Supply Strategy, forms part of a strategic objective within the Department’s 2022/23 Business Plan, and was a priority for the former Minister. This new type of affordable housing can also contribute to supporting the delivery of affordable housing through Local Development Plans, which are being taken forward by councils.

Work continues to deliver a funding package which can support the practical delivery of a supply of new Intermediate Rent homes in the near future.

Image: Alejandro Luengo