Call made to end Housing Executive turfing out family members after tenant deaths

A call has been made to end what has been described as the Housing Executive “turfing out” family members following the death of tenants.

Sinn Féin has submitted a notice of motion at Belfast City Council regarding the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s tenancy succession policy, which is due to be considered by a council committee later this month.

The motion, proposed by Court District Electoral Area Councillor Claire Canavan, highlights concerns that the current Northern Ireland Housing Executive succession policy can prevent family members who have lived long-term in a property from succeeding a tenancy after the tenant dies.

This situation can arise where succession has already previously taken place, for example between a husband and wife.

The Housing Executive allows a secure tenancy to pass to a surviving spouse, civil partner, or family member following the death of a tenant. However, succession is generally limited to one statutory transfer per property. If the deceased tenant had themselves previously inherited the tenancy, a second statutory succession is normally not permitted.

Sinn Féin says the policy “can lead to unnecessary displacement, eviction, hardship, and further breakdown of family units.”

The motion states:

“The council notes the ongoing housing crisis across the North and the increasing demand for permanent social housing. It notes that many families live for long periods in Housing Executive properties and develop vital community roots.

“The council believes that housing policy should prioritise stability for families and communities. Family members or partners who have contributed to and depend on the household should not face eviction due to restrictive succession rules. Social housing should be managed in a way that balances fairness, community stability, and objective housing needs.”

The motion has been referred to the People and Communities Committee, which is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 9. Councillors will decide whether to adopt the proposal.

If approved, the council will write to the Department for Communities Minister calling for a legislative review of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenancy succession policy.

The council would also request “the introduction of safeguards to prevent unnecessary eviction or relocation following the death of a tenant, particularly where long-term residence and established community ties exist.”

It would further ask the minister to support “the development of a fair and community-aligned succession policy that protects households while ensuring that social housing is allocated on the basis of objective need.”

The motion also calls for engagement with residents’ groups, community organisations, and elected representatives during the development of any revised succession policy.

According to Housing Executive policy, where a legal succession is not possible because the tenancy has already been inherited once, the Housing Executive may still consider a “policy succession” or use discretionary powers in exceptional circumstances.

This can apply where a person gave up their own tenancy or sold their home in order to move in and care for the deceased tenant, potentially allowing them to remain in the property through a policy succession arrangement.