Free help from your council in Northern Ireland

These services are run by your district council, not by nidirect or the Department for Communities, so the rules differ from one council area to the next. Each line below links to the council's own page.

Free home safety checks for over-65s

A home safety officer from the council visits, looks for things that cause falls, fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, and can refer you on, for example to NI Fire and Rescue Service for free smoke alarms. Many councils also visit families with children under 5 and vulnerable adults.

• Antrim and Newtownabbey: Home Safety Checks for Over 65s, vulnerable adults and families with children under 5. Free equipment is subject to eligibility and availability. Request a check online.
• Ards and North Down: a free and confidential check if you are over 65 or someone in your household has a disability or vulnerability. Phone 0300 013 3333 ext 40336.
• Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon: if you are over 65, you can request a free home safety assessment. Free items such as a carbon monoxide alarm or a touch lamp may be provided. Phone 0330 0561 011.
• Belfast: if you are over 65, you can request a free home safety check and use the repair scheme. Repairs cost £10 per hour if you get benefits and £15 per hour if you do not, and you supply the materials. Freephone 08001 422 865.
• Causeway Coast and Glens: people aged 65 or older can get a free home check and advice. Non-slip mats, a falls prevention pack and a carbon monoxide alarm are available if needed. Phone 028 2766 0257, or 028 7776 0302 in the Limavady area.
• Derry City and Strabane: visits last about an hour. All those receiving an over 65 or vulnerable person's visit can avail of free equipment. Phone 028 7125 3253.
• Fermanagh and Omagh: free checks for residents over 65, families with children under 5 and vulnerable adults. Home safety equipment is free to anyone aged 65 or over. Phone 0300 303 1777.
• Lisburn and Castlereagh: a free visit if you have children under 5, are over 65, or someone in your household has a disability or vulnerability, with free equipment where appropriate. Phone 028 9244 7397.
• Mid and East Antrim: a free home safety check if you are aged 65 or over, are a vulnerable adult, or have a child under 5. If safety equipment is needed, the council provides it free. Phone 028 2563 3394.
• Mid Ulster: free home safety visits. Equipment is free to anyone 65 or over. Phone 03000 132 132.
• Newry, Mourne and Down: free and confidential checks for people aged over 65. Phone 0330 137 4024.

For families with children under 5, free equipment such as stair gates usually depends on getting a qualifying benefit, such as free school meals. Fermanagh and Omagh, Mid Ulster, Derry City and Strabane and Causeway Coast and Glens all list them.

Bulky waste: free in some areas, charged in others

A bulky collection takes furniture, mattresses and large appliances from outside your home. What it costs depends entirely on where you live. You book with your council, and in most areas only the items you book are taken.

• Belfast: free for households, up to seven items in one collection. Phone 028 9027 0230.
• Fermanagh and Omagh: each household can have up to three free bulky waste collections a year, with up to three items each time. Phone 0300 303 1777.
• Lisburn and Castlereagh: up to 3 items at a time free of charge, up to 3 free collections per household per year. Additional collections cost £10. Phone 028 9244 7300.
• Antrim and Newtownabbey: one free bulky waste collection per household, per financial year, for up to 3 items. Additional collections cost £10 for up to 3 items, and a collection taking more than 15 minutes may be charged.
• Mid and East Antrim: 1 bulky lift of up to 3 eligible items free of charge per financial year. After that, up to 3 items costs £14.85.
• Causeway Coast and Glens: £5 for each bulky item collected.
• Mid Ulster: up to 3 items for a £6 charge.
• Newry, Mourne and Down: £12.75 per collection, up to five items, paid when you book.
• Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon: £15.30 for up to 3 items or £30.60 for up to 6, maximum 2 lifts per year. Phone 0330 056 1020.
• Ards and North Down: a special collection of up to six items costs £34, paid when you book. Phone 0300 013 3333, option 1.
• Derry City and Strabane: book online, up to 6 items per booking. The booking page does not state a charge.

If your council charges, most items can also go to a household recycling centre for free, and good furniture can go to a charity shop.

Cheaper leisure centre rates

Council leisure centres have concession prices for gym, swimming and classes. You need proof, such as a benefit letter or proof of age, when you join. These are the groups each council publishes:

• Belfast (centres run for the council by Better): under 17 or over 60, students in full-time education, and people getting benefits such as Housing Benefit or Pension Credit. The concessionary membership is for off-peak times.
• Antrim and Newtownabbey: registered disabled, receiving income based Universal Credit, a full-time student, or over 60. Proof must be dated within the last three months.
• Mid and East Antrim: a 30% discount on memberships and pay-as-you-go prices for students, people on Universal Credit or a disability benefit, and over-60s.
• Newry, Mourne and Down: adults aged 60+, full-time students, and those receiving benefits or means-tested benefits.
• Fermanagh and Omagh: under 18, over 60, disabled users, students and people on a low income.
• Mid Ulster: 17 and under, 60 and over, and customers with a disability.
• Derry City and Strabane: concession prices, including cheaper swimming and gym entry for over-65s.

Ards and North Down, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Causeway Coast and Glens, and Lisburn and Castlereagh do not publish a concession list online that we could find. Ask at your leisure centre's reception.

Dog licence: free for one dog at 65 or over

Your council issues dog licences. A dog licence costs £12.50. There are reduced licence fees for some dog owners:

• If you are aged 65 or over, you do not need to pay a fee to license one dog. Other dogs cost £5 each.
• You are also eligible for a reduced rate licence if you are on certain income related benefits at the date on which you apply for the licence: State Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
• The £5 licence fee is also available if the dog has been sterilised.

All dogs must be microchipped before an owner applies for a dog licence. See nidirect: Dog licensing and microchipping.

Pest control

Every council varies in the pest control service it provides. Most give advice only. Belfast City Council's pest control service offers appointments about rats and mice only. Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council offers a professional pest control service to privately owned and rented homes. See nidirect: Pest control services for each council's page.

What your council does not do

Councils in Northern Ireland do not pay benefits or run social housing, and your rates bill comes from Land and Property Services. Benefits are the Department for Communities and social housing is the Housing Executive. See our guides to rates in Northern Ireland, home energy schemes and Home Heating Oil Support.

Common questions

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