Act early. Most homes are saved by getting advice before a court date, not after it.
Quick facts
- Free advice
- Housing Executive, Housing Rights, Advice NI
- Homeless means
- Not only the street; also unsafe or unsuitable housing
- Illegal eviction
- A criminal offence
- Mortgage arrears
- Lender must warn you in writing first
- Court
- Free legal representation may be available
If you are homeless
The Housing Executive must make sure that advice about homelessness is available free to everyone. When you present as homeless, the Housing Executive will interview you and discuss your housing situation.
Being homeless doesn't just mean living on the streets. You are also legally considered homeless and are entitled to get help to find somewhere to live or to stay in your home for different reasons. One is that you have somewhere to live but feel unsafe there because of the threat of violence, abuse or harassment.
Protection against eviction
Private tenants have the right to freedom from harassment and illegal eviction, and the right to claim Housing Benefit. Illegal eviction and harassment are criminal offences, punishable by up to two years in prison, a fine, or both.
If your landlord is trying to evict you from your home, speak to Environmental health in your local council. You can also ask the council for help if your landlord will not do certain repairs.
Private renting problems
Your landlord must give you a free Tenancy Information Notice within 28 days of the start of the tenancy, and a Notice of Variation within 28 days of any changes to it.
Social housing evictions
When a court grants a possession order, you can only apply to the court to change the terms of that order or to suspend the eviction. If you are facing a possession order, you need independent legal advice, which you can get free from Advice NI.
Mortgage arrears and repossession
If you cannot pay your mortgage and you're worried about repossession, Housing Rights has specialist advisers who can help. If you don’t keep to any agreement you make with your lender, the lender must warn you in writing that they plan to start court action.
At court, any offer to pay off arrears each month must clear them within a reasonable time, generally no later than the end of the mortgage term. You might be able to arrange free legal representation before and at the repossession hearing. See Support for Mortgage Interest.
Common questions
Who helps if I am homeless in Northern Ireland?
The Housing Executive. It must make free homelessness advice available to everyone, and will interview you about your situation.
Can my landlord just change the locks?
No. Illegal eviction is a criminal offence. Contact your council's environmental health department.
- nidirect: Homelessness
- nidirect: Advice to avoid losing your home
- nidirect: Protection against eviction
- nidirect: Getting help with problems in private rented housing
- nidirect: Housing Executive and housing association evictions
- nidirect: When the lender takes action against you
- nidirect: Property repossession - the role of the court
- nidirect: Housing advice - representation in court