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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Property and housing
    3. Buying, selling and renting a home
    4. Private renting

    Getting help with problems in private rented housing

    As a tenant you have rights that are protected by law. Sometimes it’s difficult to solve problems with your landlord about your home. You can ask the council for help if your landlord won't do certain repairs. They can also investigate if your landlord doesn't repay your tenancy deposit.

    Contents

    Skip table of contents
    • Reporting a problem to the council
    • When the council can investigate a landlord
    • Protection for tenants

    Reporting a problem to the council

    You can contact the local council's environmental health department if your landlord:

    • wants to evict you without a court order
    • fails to do necessary repairs you reported to them

    When the council can investigate a landlord

    The council can investigate and prosecute a landlord who doesn't give their tenant:

    • a rent book
    • a statement of tenancy terms

    The council also has authority to investigate and prosecute a landlord who doesn't:

    • protect a tenant's deposit
    • register as a landlord
    • license their property as a house in multiple occupation (HMO) when they rent it to multiple tenants

    To find your local council, go to:

    • Local councils in Northern Ireland 

    Protection for tenants

    The law protects people living in residential property:

    • by making harassment and illegal eviction a criminal offence
    • by enabling someone who is harassed or illegally evicted to claim damages through the civil court

    Where there is physical assault or violence, the tenant should contact the police. To find more advice for private tenants, go to:

    • Housing Rights

    More useful links

    • Safety at home
    • Your rights and responsibilities
    • Advice NI
    • Law Centre (NI)

    More useful links

    • Student housing
    • Home and housing options
    • Safety at Home
    • Fire Prevention
    • Tax on property and rental income - HMRC website(external link opens in a new window / tab)external link opens in a new window / tab
    • Planning for buying a home - Money Advice Service website(external link opens in a new window / tab)external link opens in a new window / tab
    Share this page Share on Facebook (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share on X (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share by email (external link opens in a new window / tab)

    Private renting

    • Different types of rented accommodation
    • Getting help with problems in private rented housing
    • Health and safety in rented accommodation
    • Housing standards in rented accommodation
    • Landlord Registration Scheme
    • Landlords with tenants claiming Universal Credit
    • Living in shared accommodation
    • Private rent and tenancies
    • Problems with your landlord - how the council can help
    • Rent control
    • Renting a home privately
    • Repairing your home: private tenants
    • Set up direct payment for tenant's housing costs to landlords
    • Tenancy Deposit Scheme
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