Complaints to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive about housing conditions reached 44 in 2024-25, the highest total in five years. The figure covers repairs and maintenance, heating, Affordable Warmth Grants and housing points assessments.

In 2020-21, six complaints were recorded: four on repairs and maintenance, one on the Affordable Warmth Grant and one on heating. No complaints fell under housing points assessment that year.

The total rose to 11 in 2021-22, with seven on repairs and maintenance, three on the Affordable Warmth Grant and one on housing points assessment.

By 2022-23, complaints increased to 33, including 18 on repairs and maintenance, 10 on housing points assessment, three on the Affordable Warmth Grant and two on heating.

In 2023-24, 26 complaints were logged: 16 on repairs and maintenance, five on housing points assessment, one on the Affordable Warmth Grant and four on heating.

The Housing Executive noted its previous complaints system, used until April 2024, allowed recording under only one category. Issues like damp, mould and overcrowding may appear under broader headings such as repairs. A full review would exceed the 18-hour statutory limit.

No internal audits, reports or assessments on unfit housing conditions in its stock have occurred since 2020. A new stock condition survey by Savills is underway, with results due later this year.

Preliminary findings from the Northern Ireland House Condition Survey show about 16,000 unfit dwellings across the region, or two per cent of housing stock. This matches 2016 levels. Unfit properties most often link to vacant homes, at 31.6 per cent. The Housing Executive knows of no unfit properties in its stock since 2020.