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Housing advice

Housing advice for people in Northern Ireland

Key advice areas

Points and the waiting list

Your points determine where you are on the waiting list. Our advisers can help you work through your points and see if you can get more points.

Homelessness

Being homeless can mean many things and can happen for many reasons. It’s not your fault and there is support available and groups that can help you.

Help to pay housing costs

If you're having trouble managing, you can get help to pay your rent and other housing costs.

Eviction

Eviction can be scary and stressful. It's important to know your rights and get advice early in the process.

Repairs and bad housing

Make sure you know who is responsible for repairs. Report any damage or disrepair to your landlord immediately.

Social tenants' rights

You're a social tenant if you rent from a housing association or the Housing Executive. Learn about your rights, responsibilities and changing your tenancy. 

Private tenants' rights

You're a private tenant if you rent from a private landlord. Make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities in a private rental.

Mortgage problems

Paying your mortgage is an important responsibility. If you think you might miss a payment, get advice and talk to your lender as soon as possible.

Help in an emergency

If you need somewhere to stay tonight, call the Housing Executive, 0344 8920 900 (or after hours at 0344 8920 908).

Know your options in an emergency.

Contact us

Call 028 9024 5640 to speak to an adviser
Listen for the options on the phone message and choose the right one for you.

Our helpline is open from 9:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday. We are closed on public holidays.

Our impact on peoples' lives

Housing Rights continued to support people with housing problems and homelessness in 2021-2022.

Prevented homelessness

We helped prevent homelessness for a total of 1,027 households

Improved housing circumstances

9 out of 10 people who used our helpline reported their housing circumstances had improved

Provided advice

We provided advice, advocacy and representation services to 12,852 households

Advice for you

Social tenants

Private tenants

Homeowners

How our advice has helped

mother and son

Preventing Clare's home from being repossessed

Clare contacted us when she was weeks away from repossession after falling into mortgage arrears on a home that was no longer affordable. 

She had experienced tragedy in her life that had resulted in her being unable to work, and therefore unable to pay for her home. 

We successfully helped her navigate the courts, we talked with her lender and we advised her so that she did not lose her home.

Mortgage Mortgage debt

Funding for the 'Housing advice' section of this site is provided by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.