To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any assessment his Department has made of whether existing homelessness prevention measures are sufficient to prevent homelessness arising from landlord sales in the private rented sector.

This issue is an operational matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive, who has advised me as follows:

“The Housing Executive is unable to prevent landlords from selling their properties, and there is no specific prevention measure open to the Housing Executive in this regard.

In the event an applicant presents to the Housing Executive having received a Notice to Quit due to property sale, the Housing Executive will provide advice and assistance as part of our Housing Solutions and Support approach.

This may include exploring alternative housing options to prevent homelessness such as the private rented sector and co-ownership models, making referrals to support services as appropriate, and carrying out a homeless assessment under the Housing (NI) Order 1988, where an applicant is threatened with homelessness within 28 days.”