The Citizens Advice Bureau in Dungannon claims that vulnerable new arrivals to this country are being #exploited because of their below-par level of English. They say too that landlords are playing on this ignorance to charge “exorbitant” rents. Manager of the Citizens Advice Bureau in Dungannon, Sharon Dillon, said #discrimination within the housing sector needs to be tackled. “Foreign nationals are often charged exorbitant rents for multiple occupancy properties. In this respect, a small number of landlords are taking advantage of foreign nationals with high deposits and rents. This is especially the case if they do not come from here and cannot speak the language and it raises a serious issue about the availability of decent affordable social housing. We are witnessing a steady number of issues being faced by foreign nationals in relation to employment and housing and the different treatment that they receive in comparison to the Irish. A key problem is the fact that there is no regulation within the private rented sector. Landlords can choose who they have in a property and how much they are charging.” As a result of this, CAB is one of a number of organisations which wants to see more affordable housing provided. The bueau is also lobbying local politicians to ensure that better conditions are provided for those foreign nationals who are hoping to rent properties and that affordable properties are available to everyone. “It is vital that the local politicians work to ensure that the private sector landlords provide better conditions for those who are seeking to rent properties,” added Ms Dillon. “As an organisation, the CAB is working with people right across the board at a social policy level to ensure that this happens. This needs to be embedded in the recent #racialequalitystrategy.”
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 15:52:37 +0000
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