Deirdre Hargey
South Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“His double standards, including his condemnation of and opposition to equality and rights for our LGBTQ+ citizens, have caused real harm to others. The revelations about his double life expose the staggering hypocrisy of the DUP's moral facade. We need to know whether failing to act sooner left more vulnerable people at risk.”
“One week ago today, Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty of 18 child sexual offences, including rape. That conviction was made possible only by the strength and resilience of the two victims who came forward and reported the abuse. Donaldson was an abuser. He abused children, but he also abused his position in politics and faith.”
“They now say that they knew about his behaviour, but, crucially, they did nothing to expose his inappropriate hypocrisy and double life. The 'Spotlight' programme and other reports have shown that senior members of the DUP — its most senior figures, including the then leader, Edwin Poots — were aware of serious issues and allegations abou…”
“It is therefore not credible to suggest that the intelligence agencies were blind to his compromised double standards and double life. <BR /> <BR />Those questions demand answers from the DUP leadership. They demand answers in the House from the deputy First Minister, who was closely associated with Donaldson.”
“It is clear that there is a huge disconnect between Whitehall and the reality that is being felt by people on the ground. A British Treasury policy that is managing decay, real-terms cuts and disastrous policy decisions such as Brexit or the funding of wars over public services comes on top of existing disparities between how public servi…”
“The answer is not the short-term fixes or cash injections that we have had in the past, which have allowed for the repeated Treasury script of record settlements and inability of the Executive to manage their finances — scripts that are often parroted in the Chamber.”
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“I do not think that there is anything underwhelming about £55 million going out to over 280,000 individuals. There were queries about when the payments were coming, and it was important for me to set out the date for when they will hit people's bank accounts, which will be next Thursday and Friday. That will be good news for those who are waiting for the payments. We are in the midst of a global fuel and cost-of-living crisis. Obviously, the situation in and around Ukraine and Russia adds further instability, which will, no doubt, have a knock-on effect on people's cost of living and fuel costs. <BR /> <BR />I have stepped in with this scheme.”
“There were issues at the start of that scheme, but it has started to become embedded, and there is a 24-hour turnaround between people approaching it and receiving direct assistance. If anyone is in financial crisis or at the point of being disconnected, I encourage them to contact Bryson Care.”
“We looked at a number of other schemes. The energy support scheme that was brought forward last November was based on the people on the lowest incomes: those in receipt of means-tested benefits. The difficulty with extending the scheme now is having the money to do it and having an Executive to approve any change to the scheme. Luckily, I was able to get the scheme signed off before the Executive fell — in fact, at the last minute, on the day that the Assembly came down. There are limitations on what else we can do without a functioning Executive. The scheme, as it stands, is for those who are in receipt of the means-tested benefits that have been listed. <BR /> <BR />There is other help through the Bryson Care scheme. That is still in operation and will be in operation until the end of this month. The resource is still there.”
“We have tried to engage. The Department has had regular meetings with the Utility Regulator and the Consumer Council about trying to have an engagement with energy companies about their social responsibilities. Energy companies contributed to the administrative costs of the Bryson scheme, which meant that the £2 million that came from the Department went directly to households and people who needed it. <BR /> <BR />I can continually raise the delivery charge with the Utility Regulator. All that money should be spent on meeting people's needs in relation to fuel prices. I will take that away and come back to you.”
“Some people on tax credits, therefore, will be able to avail themselves of the payment through the existing scheme. In the remainder of this mandate, however, without that primary legislation, there is no way to include people who are on tax credits. That is really unfortunate, but we exhausted all avenues.”
“Yes. We looked at that. As I said in my statement, tax credits fall under Revenue and Customs; they are a reserved matter and are not within my Department's power, so I do not hold the data. <BR /> <BR />When we contacted HMRC, it said that primary legislation would be needed for it to be able to make payments. We were willing to pay the money to those in receipt of tax credits, but HMRC said that it was not able to do so. We then asked whether we could have the payment details so that we could make the payments ourselves, and we were told that, because of data-sharing issues, primary legislation would be needed to allow that to happen. We have exhausted all avenues. <BR /> <BR />We know that around 45% of those in receipt of means-tested benefits also receive tax credits.”
“We need a functioning Executive to take decisions. We also need to support people. Everyone has a responsibility to do all in their power to do that. I will continue to provide support, and I hope that others will continue to support me in doing so in the time ahead.”
“<BR /> <BR />My Department continues to offer a range of supports, including such schemes as the affordable warmth scheme and the boiler replacement scheme, to help improve the energy efficiency of homes, as well as cold weather payments, discretionary support and the winter fuel payment, which has already paid out £51 million this winter to more than 290,000 older people. <BR /> <BR />My Department also provided a £2 million contribution to an emergency fuel payment scheme operated by Bryson Care to deliver targeted support to families who present as being in fuel crisis or who have a temporary inability to meet their fuel costs. <BR /> <BR />The crisis will not end soon. As we know, in many cases, the issues lie beyond the Assembly. We need to do all that we can, however, to protect people and families.”
“<BR /> <BR />Despite the delay in securing Executive approval for the scheme until 13 January 2022, a delay that was caused by not allowing it on to the agenda for decision in November of the previous year, I asked for payments to be made as quickly and practically as possible. I can now announce that the payment date has been brought forward as much as possible, and we will see payments begin to reach people’s bank accounts next week, on 10 March 2022, with most of the payments being paid on 10 and 11 March.”
“<BR /> <BR />The agreed scheme is targeted at individuals on low incomes who are in receipt of means-tested benefits administered by my Department, and it will provide a one-off £200 payment to help with their energy costs. I asked my officials to explore whether tax credits could also be included within the eligibility criteria for the scheme. My officials engaged with Revenue and Customs, which has responsibility for administering tax credits. Obviously, those are reserved matters. Revenue and Customs stated that it did not have the legal powers to make a payment, and a workable solution could not be found.”
“On receipt of responses, the Finance Minister wrote, again, to Executive colleagues to seek agreement for the immediate allocation of the £13·8 million Barnett consequential funding and, given the scale of the crisis, for additional funding to be allocated for this scheme. Despite that urgent request from the Finance Minister and attempts by me to secure the funding last year, it was blocked from getting on to the Executive agenda to be discussed or agreed. I eventually secured support from the Executive on 13 January 2022 to deliver a £55 million payment support scheme to provide vital support to around 280,000 individuals across a wide range of benefits.”
“I have given a commitment to keep welfare mitigations under review, so that I can continue to provide support where it is most needed. A review of the current mitigations is ongoing. I am due to receive that report soon. <BR /> <BR />I first wrote to the Finance Minister about the energy crisis on 9 November 2021 asking for the immediate consideration of funding for an energy payment support scheme. The Finance Minister quickly wrote to Executive colleagues asking them to identify underspends, in advance of the January monitoring round, which could increase the resource available for the scheme.”
“That is why I recently announced that I am freezing Housing Executive rent levels for 2022-23 so as not to place any further financial burden on individuals and families who are striving relentlessly each day to make ends meet. <BR /> <BR />My Welfare Supplementary Payments (Amendment) Bill, which will complete its Final Stage this afternoon, will bin the bedroom tax by removing the cliff edge that many people are facing. It will provide financial support to people and protect them against the cruel tax of the welfare reforms that were introduced. I have secured the extension of the other welfare mitigation schemes until 2025 and ensured the closure of the loopholes in the benefit cap and bedroom tax mitigations.”
“I thank the House for the opportunity to make the statement to the Assembly — a statement in which I intend to announce the payment date for the energy payment support scheme and to provide an update to Members on how my Department is providing vital support to help those most vulnerable to the cost-of-living and energy price increases. The rising cost of living and soaring increases in energy bills continue to have a major impact on people who are finding it harder to cope. Many are struggling to afford essentials, such as heating their homes and paying for electricity. My top priority has always been to support people, and I will continue to do all that I can.”
“I thank everyone for their contributions. I particularly thank the Committee, which worked with my team in the Department on the two amendments. I again thank Paula Bradley for working closely with the Department on the amendment that she tabled at Consideration Stage.”
“I do not believe that the amendment intended to exclude those activities from the necessary control, but I was concerned that that could be the effect. To ensure that that cannot happen, amendment No 2 increases the number of provisions in the 1985 Order that are caught by the code of practice. It is now proposed that the amendment applies to articles 27(1), 28(1), 42(1), 72(1), 92(1), 103(1) and 149(1). Those are the amendments.”
“I am grateful to Paula for being open to the possibility of her amendment being revisited by my Department. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 2 represents nothing further than an attempt to strengthen the wording of the provision that was passed at Consideration Stage. The amendment inserts a reworked provision in every article of the 1985 Order that deals with procedures for revoking or renewing gambling licences, certificates and permits. Under article 2, the basis for revoking or refusing to renew gambling licences, certificates or permits is maintained, namely in instances where there are serious repeated or continuous failures to comply with a code of practice issued by my Department. Amendment No 2, however, widens the scope of the original amendment to include betting offices, bingo clubs and lotteries.”
“<BR /> <BR />Amendment No 1 does not in any way affect clause 7(1) and (2) as the Bill stands. As agreed at Consideration Stage, it will continue to be an offence to invite, cause or permit a person under the age of 18 to play anything other than a lower-limit gaming machine. The mode of prosecution and punishment for that offence also remains as agreed at Consideration Stage. Furthermore, amendment No 1 will not extend the types of premises that may, at the moment, obtain a gaming machine certificate. It does not alter any of the stakes and prize limits for gaming machines that currently apply under the 1985 Order. <BR /> <BR />Before explaining amendment No 2, I extend my thanks to Paula Bradley, who originally moved an amendment at Consideration Stage that relates to amendment No 2.”
“From the outset, I make it clear that my amendments do nothing more than, first, rearrange part of article 108 of the Bill's parent legislation — the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements Order 1985 — and, secondly, rectify the wording of an amendment that was passed at Consideration Stage. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 1 adds a new provision to clause 7 of the Bill. The new provision rearranges the part of article 108 of the 1985 Order that deals with the regulation of gaming machine stakes and prize limits in certain premises. Amendment No 1 will allow the Department to prescribe either the same or different stakes and prize limits for gaming machines according to the premises in which they are located, whether that is a betting shop, bingo club, pub or amusement arcade.”
“I will not talk for long. I thank everyone for their comments. I put the amendments to the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />The final amendments are either technical or put into the Bill the commitment to consult tenants. Amendment Nos 37 and 38 ensure that the Department will consult tenants' representatives before making the regulations in schedule 2. Amendment Nos 39 to 43 are consequential to schedule 3 in order to align with the 2006 Order after the amendments to schedule 2 have been made. Amendment Nos 44 and 45 ensure that the Department will consult tenants and their representatives before any regulations are made under the powers that are in schedule 3. Those are the group 2 amendments.”
“I emphasise that the purpose of the amendments is to enable long-term improvements to energy efficiency and to avoid having to exempt entire types of houses indefinitely. <BR /> <BR />The legislation will have real, long-term significance. Before introducing the regulations, the Department will carry out research in consultation with landlords, tenants and other relevant parties, such as the Department for the Economy, the Department of Finance and district councils. <BR /> <BR />Amendment Nos 27 to 35 set out detail regarding offences under schedule 2. Together, they will ensure that there are no loopholes and that there is a level of fine that ensures that landlords take the legislation seriously and deliver the energy efficiency improvements that they are required to.”
“That will be augmented so that exemptions other than those relating to the fabric of the building can be made. In particular, it now provides for an improvement exemption. The amendment will also detail other areas that the regulations may cover, including designating an authority to oversee the exemption process and public access to lists of exemptions; more detail on exemptions, including the length of time that they would last; appeals; inspections; applications; and other related issues. <BR /> <BR />Taken together, those amendments will allow us to improve energy efficiency in the private rented sector in a way that is deliverable and avoids shocks to supply, which would increase housing stress.”
“A sixth of our greenhouse gas emissions come from our homes, and a sixth of those homes are private tenancies. Private tenancies are often the least energy-efficient, and those who live in them are the least able to afford high energy bills. The schedule will enable regulations that will drive more improvements in the energy efficiency of our homes. It will reduce fuel poverty and is one essential part in a range of measures that will enable us to meet our carbon reduction targets. Fundamentally, schedule 2 introduces a prohibition on letting a home that has inadequate energy efficiency. That will not change. The amendment enables a much more comprehensive process around the policy objectives. <BR /> <BR />I tabled amendment No 26, which will allow for consideration of the types of exemptions that are in the prohibition.”
“Amendment Nos 25 to 45 relate to schedules 2 and 3. Schedule 2 relates to the energy efficiency regulations. It sets out the power to detail the energy efficiency requirements of dwellings, houses that are let under a private tenancy and what the minimum level of energy performance certificate (EPC) should be. The regulations will be draft affirmative. The Assembly will have its say. Some of the amendments are more technical or work to support one another. I will now set out the intent of the substantive amendments. <BR /> <BR />When reviewing the evidence that was given at Committee, it was considered that the powers that are provided in the original schedule 2 would be too limiting. We will need to ensure that we enforce a higher level of energy efficiency.”
“As I said in my opening address, I would also need to look at transitional arrangements, such as introducing an eight-week notice to quit period until the other periods outlined in amendment No 15 are commenced. That detailed work would have to be done, but it would not be finalised in time for the Bill receiving Royal Assent. Transitional periods and protections would have to be put in place. With the ending of the Coronavirus Act, when we want the new Bill to take effect, nobody wants to revert to the four-week notice to quit period: it is far too short. I would have to look urgently at transitional arrangements and at any future amendments that would come into force and be commenced at a later stage. <BR /> <BR />I think that I have covered most of the queries and comments. I commend my amendments to the House.”
“I received legal advice that, where a proposal differed from what was consulted on in 2017 — I want to veer away from that — I would need to consult again. That is why there was a need to consult. However, obviously, the pandemic placed time constraints on us, and, with the shortened mandate, the Department had less time to bring forward proposals. That is why I set out in the legislation what, I felt, could be done in this mandate. I was not sitting about; I wanted to show the House that we were serious, and consultation was part of that approach. <BR /> <BR />If the House makes amendment No 15, officials could look at what can be done at Further Consideration Stage. Of course, as was clearly said, we need to look in more detail at the exemptions that would have to be applied if amendment No 15 was to be considered.”
“On the basis of the legal advice, my concern is about the competency of the amendment, that the entire Bill would be called into question and that it may fall. I raised that concern when I introduced the Bill. We are not sitting and waiting for work to begin on phase 2. We are actively working on bringing in rent controls and looking at having a fairer rental system for tenants who face issues, including issues with letting agents, which is a huge area in which some malign and illegal practices need to be addressed. <BR /> <BR />On amendment No 15, there were comments about the notice-to-quit periods and the consultation. I have been clear throughout that I want to extend the notice to quit periods. I get a sense from all Members in the Chamber that they want something similar.”
“The concern is about the competency of the amendment, given the legal advice that I have received. I completely agree with the policy intent of what you are trying to do; indeed, that is what I am trying to do. However, the Bill is progressing in a confined mandate. There are three weeks of the mandate left. The legal advice says strongly that, without the additional work that is needed on the inequalities and on what we can do to introduce a fairer rent model that has appropriate caps and reductions where necessary, progressing in the way that is proposed could cause the Bill to fall. That would mean that we lose all of the protections in the Bill. <BR /> <BR />I completely understand the thrust of what you are doing; I agree with it.”
“However, I have concerns that the Bill will not have the desired outcome of protecting people in the way that the amendment proposes. The Bill impacts only on current tenants, so, if that amendment were passed and were to get Royal Assent as part of the Bill, it would not have any impact on any new tenants who sign contracts. There is a real concern that that would bring up a huge inequality for those tenants in that sector. Also, landlords could easily end a contract and issue a new one, so there is a huge gap in the amendment that would allow landlords to get around that. Indeed, there is no penalty on landlords if they wish to take that course of action. Again, there is a huge concern about that proposal not meeting the thrust and intent, and that introduces an inequality — <BR /> <BR />Sorry, are you looking an intervention, yes?”
“That is an area that we will have to address, and I believe that strengthening the Bill with the amendments will allow us to do that. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 13 is from Gerry Carroll, and I completely agree with the sentiments of what he is trying to do. I completely agree with fairer rents and rent controls. I have been a community and housing activist my whole life, and I have campaigned on that area on a regular basis. I have been doing housing campaigns since I was 16 years of age, and I continue to do that work as housing Minister and Minister for Communities. I completely get Mr Carroll's approach, and I wholeheartedly want to do what he proposes in order to provide further protections for those right across all our housing sectors here in the North.”
“Thanks very much to the Chair and Deputy Chair and, indeed, the whole Communities Committee and all those in the House who have commented on this important part of the legislation. <BR /> <BR />I will cover a couple of areas that were discussed. It has been an important process. The scrutiny role and the amendments that have been tabled through working with the Committee, stakeholders and my staff team in the Department have made for better legislation. The issue with cash receipts is crucial, and I take on board the point that the Member raised about poverty being a factor that still prevails in the need for and use of cash. We can even see that in, for example, supermarkets and where some are situated and where cash is used in comparison with cash machines.”
“If either of those amendments are carried, I will not move amendment Nos 21 and 24. Those are the group 1 amendments.”
“However, I wish to address the concerns raised, so I have tabled amendment No 22 in order to allow consultation with a wide range of stakeholders on the issue and, on the basis of that consultation, to take a power to make regulations on payment options for tenants. I therefore propose amendment Nos 22 and 23 to address the concerns that were raised by tenant representatives during Committee Stage. <BR /> <BR />Finally in the group, I propose amendment No 24. The amendment commences the notice to quit period directly after the coronavirus notice to quit period ends on 4 May or as soon as possible if Royal Assent has not been given by then. The amendment works with amendment No 21, which I have just mentioned. As before, amendment No 24 depends on the outcomes of amendment Nos 15 and 19.”
“The same applies to amendment No 16, as I have explained, as more time would be required to properly develop exemptions. Therefore, if amendment Nos 15 and 16 are carried, I will not move amendment No 21. <BR /> <BR />Amendment Nos 22 and 23 relate to new clause 11A. During the scrutiny of the Bill, the Committee heard concerns from some landlords who insist on receiving cash payments, mainly for deposits and rent. The Committee asked me to consider an amendment to prevent that practice. The issue turned out to be complex, and, as it had not been raised in earlier consultations, no work or scoping had been carried out on it.”
“However, as I said, if amendment No 15 is made, the changes to the notice to quit periods will vary, and my Department will require much more time to commence it in the sector and to produce guidelines for landlords and tenants.”
“Again, if it is the will of the Chamber, my officials will start to work that up for Further Consideration Stage. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 20 is a technical amendment that relates to amendment No 19, if amendment No 19 is passed. I support this amendment. It is important that the additional protections for tenants in relation to the longer notice to quit periods introduced in the Bill commence as soon as possible, ideally after the expiry of the coronavirus emergency Act if possible. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 21 is one of two amendments that will commence the new notice periods, either right after the coronavirus Act expires on 4 May or as soon as possible after that, depending on Royal Assent.”
“<BR /> <BR />During the recent notice to quit consultation, several respondents cautioned against the unintended consequences of longer notice to quit periods. For instance, in a bid to secure a new property, a tenant may find themselves paying two rent bills until the notice period expires. That situation would be particularly problematic for tenants relying on benefits to pay their rent. An unduly long notice period might mean that tenancies overlap, with the tenant having to pay two rents. It would be perverse for someone to lose an offer, for example, of a social home because of the length of their notice to quit period. It would not be much better if they had to go deeper into debt to secure their home. If that is introduced, there may also need to be exemptions from longer notice periods for tenants.”
“<BR /> <BR />Amendment No 19, tabled by Ciara Ferguson, further requires tenants to give longer notice to quit periods — up to 16 weeks — than those in the Bill, which does not lengthen the notice periods that tenants have to give to landlords. Indeed, it will shorten the notice period for many tenants. We should not trap a tenant in a tenancy that they no longer need or can afford for any longer than is necessary. Tenants often leave tenancies to move to more suitable accommodation: for example, if their health deteriorates or in the event of a relationship breakdown. Amendment No 19 places a greater burden on tenants that could cause them to lose new tenancies or incur increased expense.”
“The recent consultation exercise showed support for longer notice to quit periods. Amendment No 16 provides no protection for tenants who have been in a private tenancy for less than three months. The recent consultation showed support for longer notice periods for longer tenancies. This amendment would give the same protections to a tenant who has been in their home for 12 weeks as someone who has lived in their home for 12 years. As previously mentioned, further work on exemptions to any extended notice to quit period is required, and I want to do that properly. Therefore, again, I am cautious about Amendment No 16.”
“If the amendment is passed, I will ask my officials to urgently examine a transitional arrangement, if that is possible, that will introduce an eight-week notice to quit period until the periods outlined in amendment No 15 commence. <BR /> <BR />Amendment Nos 17 and 18 seek to amend the regulation-making powers further to amendment No 15. If amendment No 15 is passed, I will support amendment Nos 17 and 18. However, I would need to suggest considerable amendments at Further Consideration Stage to properly define the regulation-making powers needed to introduce the exemptions. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 16, tabled by Gerry Carroll, also seeks to amend the notice to quit periods in the Bill. The 12-week notice period has been in place for almost two years because of my coronavirus legislation.”
“Members will have seen later amendments that bring in new notice periods from the day on which the emergency coronavirus notice periods expire. It is impossible to prepare the detailed work on exemptions by then. If the Assembly were to vote for the amendment, I could not commence the new notices to quit in May. To do so would risk the entire Bill. In May, notice periods would revert to what they were before, and, for a lot of people, that would be four weeks. I have been clear, however, that I do not want to return to the previous notice to quit periods. Four weeks is an insufficient time for a notice period, and I have welcomed the support from across the Assembly on that.”
“We need to stay within the confines of the law and ensure that we do not lose the other important and badly needed protections in the Bill. <BR /> <BR />If the amendment is carried, I will ask my officials to explore urgently what could be done at Further Consideration Stage to reduce that risk. That would at least include much more detail on the exemptions that would be needed as well as the other balancing provisions, such as longer notices for tenants. It would inevitably mean a long delay in introducing the notice periods. In that scenario, I again ask Members to support me at Further Consideration Stage.”
“There would be six different notice periods lengthening to 224 days or 32 weeks once a tenancy is eight years old. <BR /> <BR />I believe in longer notice to quit periods from landlords. I have been clear in my intention to increase the notice to quit period to six months, but, for a notice period as long as that, there must be exemptions. It is unreasonable, for example, for neighbours or fellow tenants to endure antisocial behaviour for seven or eight months. <BR /> <BR />There was general agreement for that in my recent consultation on notices to quit. Over two thirds of respondents supported the introduction of exemptions aligned to a longer notice to quit period. So, I agree with the sentiment of the amendment.”
“The Bill states that tenants ought to get two months' notice of a rent increase. The Committee agreed that it is important that tenants have time to prepare for a rent increase based on evidence presented by representatives of tenants. Three months' notice of a rent increase would be better to allow tenants to plan for the extra expenditure required. I accept the Committee's position, and I am happy to propose amendment No 14, which will increase the notice period for a landlord to give a tenant from two months to three months. <BR /> <BR />Amendment Nos 15, 17 and 18, tabled by Ciara Ferguson, seek amendments to clause 11. For landlords, that would increase the length of notice to quit that they must give a tenant depending on the length of tenancies.”
“It would easily be avoided by a landlord ending and restarting a tenancy. It would also apply in areas where rents have fallen recently as well as where they have increased. The Member has suggested no penalty for landlords who choose to ignore it. <BR /> <BR />We will have to be realistic and stay within the confines of the law. I do not think that the amendment does that. It would also risk putting the whole Bill outside of competence and, potentially, the Bill falling. Given that we are coming to the end of the mandate, that could prove fatal for the Bill, and we would lose all the other protections that are in it. I urge caution with regard to the amendment. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 14 relates to longer notice of rent increases. This amendment was suggested by the Committee.”
“The issue of affordability in the private rented sector is a priority for me, and I have already asked officials to begin work to look at fair and affordable rents in the private and social sectors, including looking at the important issue of caps. Unfortunately, that work could not be taken forward in the Bill due to the time constraints, but, as I have previously stated, it is a key element of the second stage of the private rented sector Bill. I have concerns that the clause would apply only retrospectively to all tenancies, which would impact signed and binding contracts and could raise concerns that would veer into contract law. <BR /> <BR />The amendment would apply only to tenancies in existence at Royal Assent. It would not apply to any new tenancies after that date, thereby creating an inequality.”
“Amendment Nos 3 and 7 ensure that the duty to give a receipt for cash payments applies to former and prospective landlords and tenants. <BR /> <BR />Amendment Nos 8 to 12 refer to controlled tenancies and clarify that the defence provided by amendment No 8 relates only to receipts for rent. All other receipts for cash payments made in controlled tenancies should be correct as far as is reasonably possible. Again, that will apply to former landlords. Therefore, I propose amendment Nos 1 to 12, which will place a duty on landlords to supply a receipt for all payments made in cash. I thank the Committee for suggesting the improvement to the Bill. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 13, tabled by Gerry Carroll, seeks to amend clause 7 to introduce a rent reduction of 10% for all private tenancies longer than six months.”
“Whilst the Committee, in its report, was supportive of the clause, it felt that landlords should provide a receipt for any payment in cash, such as deposits or for repairs, for which the tenant is liable. I agree and was happy to add that to the Bill. That is what the first 12 amendments do. Some of them are technical. I will focus on the substantive ones. <BR /> <BR />The amendments put a duty on the landlord to provide receipts for all cash payments that relate to the granting of a tenancy and obligations during the tenancy. Amendment No 1 sets out that receipts should now detail what the payment is for, any apportionment where two or more payments in cash are made, and any amount that remains outstanding after the cash payment has been made. If no amount remains outstanding, that should also be included.”
“First, I put on record my thanks to the Committee for Communities, the Chair and Deputy Chair, for the assistance that they have given in progressing this much-awaited Bill to Consideration Stage. The Second Stage debate showed that there is support for the Bill from all sides of the Assembly. The Committee Stage reflected that there is general agreement that the Bill is necessary and welcome. The Committee scrutiny has been robust, diligent and constructive. I believe that the amendments that we have agreed will result in a better Bill. <BR /> <BR />The first 12 amendments apply to clause 3, which introduces a requirement for a receipt to be produced for a rent payment.”