HC Deb 07 February 1996 vol 271 cc257-8W
Rev. William McCrea

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the percentage changes in each of the last seven years for rents paid to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and private landlords (housing sector); and if he will list the differential between these figures and the rate of inflation. [12587]

Mr. Moss

The annual percentage change in rents is applied to both Northern Ireland Housing Executive rents and regulated tenancies registered with the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland. The changes for each of the last seven years plus the differential between those figures and the rates of inflation are as follows:

Percentage
Year Rent increase Difference between rent increase and rate of inflation
1989–90 10.25 +2.55
1990–91 10.00 +0.70
1991–92 8.00 +3.50
1992–93 9.50 +6.90
1993–94 7.75 +5.85
1994–95 7.50 +4.86
1995–96 7.25 +4.05

Rents of uncontrolled tenancies are open market and information on changes in rental levels is not available.

Rev. William McCrea

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present average rent paid by Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenants and what assessment he has made of equivalent rents in the private housing sector. [12588]

Mr. Moss

The present average rent paid by Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenants is £31.65 per week. Statistics on rental levels in the private housing sector are not collected.