Applying for social housing in Northern Ireland

For homelessness or the risk of losing your home, see homelessness and eviction.

How to apply

If you are not already a social housing tenant and wish to apply for social rented housing, you should contact the Housing Executive who will assess your circumstances and check you are eligible. You can use the application to apply for housing from all social housing landlords in the area where you want to live.

You should send your form to the Housing Executive office responsible for the area where you live, or to the nearest housing association office, which will pass it on.

Who is eligible

You should be 18 years old or over on the date you apply. You may still be able to apply, in certain circumstances, if you are 16 years. British and Irish citizens living in the other's country can get social housing on the same basis as its own citizens.

Points

When you apply for a home through the Housing Executive, you will be assessed and if you are eligible, you may be awarded points according to your housing needs.

Housing associations

Registered housing associations are social housing landlords. They provide rented accommodation to people who are eligible for social housing in Northern Ireland. Some specialise in housing for people who need special support.

Moving within social housing

If you are already a tenant in a property owned by the Housing Executive or a housing association and want to move, you can apply for a transfer, or exchange homes with another tenant through the free HomeSwapper service. Before moving, you need your landlord's permission.

Spare bedrooms

If you are assessed as having one or more extra bedrooms than your household needs, the amount of Housing Benefit you receive will go down. If your Housing Benefit goes down due to Social Sector Size Criteria, you may be entitled to a Welfare Supplementary Payment. See Welfare Supplementary Payments.

If you disagree with a decision

If you aren't eligible for a Housing Executive property and you disagree with their decision, you can complain. A second stage complaint goes to the chief executive.

Common questions

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