Finding a place to live in Northern Ireland

This section of the site provides information different housing options, from finding emergency accommodation to buying your own home. It explains how the costs compare and how each option will affect your rights. You need to be realistic about what you can afford and what is available in your area. You may not be able to find exactly what you want within your budget. A local advice agency may be able to help if you need help finding somewhere suitable in your area.

Things to consider

Your housing options depend on your particular circumstances. This section outlines the things you should consider when you're thinking about where you want to live. More

Emergency housing

If you need a place to sleep tonight you should contact an advice agency as soon as possible. An adviser may be able to help you avoid becoming homeless, or help you get emergency accommodation from the Housing Executive. More

Renting privately

Renting privately is more flexible than other forms of housing. You can move into a place quickly and rent for a short period. If you're interested in renting privately, you should visit our subsite which contains advice and information about the issues you will face More

Getting a Housing Executive house

You will have to use the selection scheme to get a Housing Executive house. You may have to wait a long time depending on your circumstances and where you want to live. More

Renting from a Housing Association

Renting from a housing association can offer you security and is usually more affordable than renting from a private landlord. However, your choice of accommodation and your ability to leave your tenancy is restricted. More

Buying and selling a home

Buying and selling a home can be expensive and complicated. More

Buying with co-ownership

Co-ownership allows you to become an owner by part-renting and part-buying the property. The scheme is aimed mostly at first time buyers and people on low income. More

Right to buy

Most Housing Executive and housing association tenants have the right to buy their home at a discount after living in it for five years. More

Moving home

This section tells you what you need to do when you leave a property and move into a new home. More

Student accommodation

Most students have to live on very little money and aren't entitled to housing benefit. Finding a suitable place you can afford can be difficult but will ensure that your time at university is more enjoyable. More

Leaving home or care

Leaving home can be an exciting experience, but it can also be stressful and difficult. Being well prepared can help you avoid ending up in unsuitable accommodation or, worse, finding yourself with nowhere to live at all. More

Special requirements

Sometimes having a home of your own is not enough. This section looks at your options if you think that you need help so you can stay in your home, or are considering moving so that you can receive help. More

Squatting

You are squatting if you have moved into a property without having the right to live there. Squatting isn't a long term option since you can be evicted very easily.  More