The Housing Executive can redevelop an area if the houses are unfit for human habitation. You have one month to complain if you don't want the area to be redeveloped.

The area can contain homeowners, private tenants, housing association tenants and Housing Executive tenants.

• When can an area be redeveloped?
  
• What happens next?
  
• Can I complain if I don't want the area to be redeveloped?
  
• What happens at the public enquiry?
  

When can an area be redeveloped?

The Housing Executive can redevelop an area if one third of the houses in an area are unfit for human habitation. A house is considered unfit for human habitation if:

• it has a sagging roof,
• it has bulging walls,
• it has rising damp,
• there is a lack of natural light in the living room,
• there is no running water,
• there are inadequate cooking facilities,
• there are drainage problems,
• it only has an outside toilet,
• the only access to the bathroom is through a bedroom

The houses don't have to be Housing Executive properties. The area can contain homeowners, private tenants and housing association tenants as well as Housing Executive tenants.

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What happens next?

The Housing Executive must draw up a redevelopment scheme. This outlines the Housing Executive's plans for the area. For example:

• the number of houses to be built,
• the type of houses to be built,
• facilities to be provided in the area,
• plans to rehouse residents of the area.

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Can I complain if I don't want the area to be redeveloped?

The Housing Executive must apply for a 'vesting order' before starting a redevelopment scheme. If you have any objections to the proposed scheme you must complain within a month of the Housing Executive's application. The Department for Social Development will hold a public enquiry if there are any objections to the redevelopment scheme.

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What happens at the public enquiry?

The Department for Social Development will appoint an inspector to investigate the objections to the redevelopment scheme. The inspector will report back to the Department for Social Development before it decides whether or not to accept the application.

The Department for Social Development doesn't have to accept the inspector's findings.

You may be able to apply to the High Court if you are unhappy with the decision of the Department for Social Development. Get specialist legal advice if you are in this situation.

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