House Condition Survey

2009 Northern Ireland House Condition Survey

Objectives

The key objectives for the 2009 Northern Ireland House Condition Survey are:

  • To provide a comprehensive picture of the dwelling stock and its condition in 2009 on the basis of the new council areas proposed under RPA;

  • To facilitate a comparative analysis of housing conditions in Northern Ireland with other parts of the UK;

  • To examine the association between dwelling conditions and the social and economic circumstances of households;

  • To examine changes in the condition of the stock over time in terms of key Government measures: Decent Homes and the Housing Health and Safety Rating Standard;

  • To examine the role of renovations including those funded by home improvement grants in improving housing conditions;

  • To provide a reliable assessment of the energy efficiency of the stock and the level of Fuel Poverty in Northern Ireland on a comparable basis with the rest of the UK.

The objectives have remained broadly consistent with those in 2001, 2004 and 2006.

The HCS is used to help guide housing investment and maintenance strategies and it provides the only reliable, consistent source of data for measuring key Government indicators: Decent Homes, Fuel Poverty and the Housing Health and Safety Rating.

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) has replaced the Fitness Standard in England but so far has not been adopted in Northern Ireland.

The first measurement of what proportion and type of housing stock failed the HHSRS in Northern Ireland was undertaken on the basis of the 2001 HCS. Following this the HHSRS was reviewed and updated. Northern Ireland’s housing was once again assessed against the HHSRS on the basis of the 2006 HCS. The 2009 HCS will measure more of the components of the Standard and will provide updated figures for Northern Ireland.

The HCS will also provide updated profiles of key sub sectors of the market, in particular the private rented sector, as well as providing robust housing and demographic information for use in the assessment of future housing needs.

If you want to find out about the methodology we use, click here.

Contact details

If you would like further information on the survey or have any comments to make, please contact:

Project leader - Jahnet Brown
The Housing Centre
2 Adelaide Street
Belfast BT2 8PB

The 2006 Housing Conditions Survey

The 2006 Report is now available. Reports can also be requested by contacting the Research Unit.

The 2006 Survey provides figures for unfitness in the housing stock, the Decent Homes Standard, Fuel Poverty and the Housing Health and Safety Rating system.The Survey covers all tenures and types of housing including owner occupied and rented housing, vacant dwellings, houses in multiple occupation, flats and sheltered accommodation.

Parallel surveys are also conducted in England, Scotland and Wales.

Previous housing condition surveys

We have conducted a House Condition Survey every five years in Northern Ireland since 1974. The Survey provides a comprehensive insight into housing in Northern Ireland. It provides key information which helps develop housing policy and target resources where they are most needed. An Interim House Condition Survey was carried out in 2004. (The Statistical Annex for this survey is also available.)