WRDA Raises Concerns Over Proposed Notice to Quit Period Changes and Calls for Stronger Protections for Women and Low‑Income Tenants
30 March 2026 –The Women’s Resource and Development Agency (WRDA) has submitted our response to the Department for Communities’ consultation on Notice to Quit periods, expressing significant concern about proposals that would reduce tenant protections and disproportionately impact women and families already facing poverty.
We warn that shortening notice periods in cases such as rent arrears or alleged anti‑social behaviour risks pushing vulnerable tenants into homelessness—an outcome with far greater social and economic costs than supporting tenants to maintain their tenancies. Our response also highlighted the lack of clarity around definitions of “serious anti‑social behaviour,” raising concerns that poorly defined criteria could be misused or weaponised against tenants without appropriate safeguards. We have called for a high evidential threshold and strong regulatory oversight to prevent inconsistent or unfair decision‑making.
While WRDA recognises the right of landlords to occupy their own property, we stressed that robust evidence—such as proof of the landlord or family member vacating their previous residence—must be required to prevent misuse of this provision.
We welcomed some aspects of the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) but urged the Department to strengthen its analysis of poverty impacts, particularly referencing the expertise of the community and voluntary sector and groups such as Housing Rights.
Call for Stronger Safeguards
WRDA recommended that the Department:
Strengthen evidence requirements for all proposed exceptions
Ensure access to recourse when processes are misapplied
Improve EQIA poverty analysis, especially regarding gendered impacts
Engage more extensively with organisations supporting tenants at risk of homelessness
WRDA will continue to advocate for housing policy that protects women, addresses structural inequalities, and prioritises prevention of homelessness.
-ENDS-
For further information, please contact:
Elaine Crory, Women’s Sector Lobbyist, WRDA – elaine.crory@wrda.net
Meghan Hoyt, Policy Assistant, WRDA – meghan.hoyt@wrda.net