AQW 38092/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 13/01/2026
Answered On Date: 02/02/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) his assessment of the new powers being introduced in Scotland that give landlords the ability to remove domestic abusers from tenancy agreements from August 2026; and (ii) whether he has any plans to introduce similar legislation.

Answer:

The relevant Scottish regulations will allow social landlords to apply for court orders to end a tenancy in cases involving abusive behaviour, enabling a victim of domestic abuse to remain in their home. The powers under Schedule 3 of the Housing (NI) Order 1983, includes domestic violence as a potential ground for possession if specific criteria are met. The NIHE, as part of the Housing Executive’s Domestic Abuse Action Plan, is examining the issue of action to be taken against perpetrators of domestic abuse, including evaluating the current options and considering the approach taken in other areas of the UK. It aims to produce a report with recommendations by April.