Skip to content Accesskeys Newsroom

Housing Executive and housing associations - evictions

The Housing Executive or housing associations do not wish to make anyone homeless and will always take all reasonable steps to try to resolve tenancy or rent arrears problems. However, if you do not reply to letters or visits and all else fails, they will apply to the courts to repossess a property.

Reasons for eviction

The most common ground for eviction is non-payment of rent, although it is possible for tenants breaching any other aspect of their tenancy agreement to be evicted.

Once a possession order is obtained from the courts any application to change the terms of that order or to suspend the eviction must be made to the court itself rather than the Housing Executive or your housing association. If you are facing a possession order, it is advisable to seek independent legal advice.

You can contact a solicitor directly or the local Citizens Advice Bureau or Advice NI can offer free advice. There is no guarantee that the courts will not evict you if you have children. Please use the links below to acess the relevant website:

Housing Advice NI has also prepared a video of what you can expect at a repossession court hearing:

What happens if I am evicted?

If you are evicted you will have to find alternative accommodation for yourself and anyone else who is living with you. Tenants who are evicted for non-payment of rent are likely to be considered to have made themselves homeless intentionally, in which case the Northern Ireland Housing Executive will have no obligation to provide them with alternative accommodation (except for a short period to give them a chance to find another home for themselves).

Can I stop the eviction?

The earlier you take action or get advice the better. It is more difficult to make agreements at a late stage.

You may apply for the possession order to be suspended. The court will then reconsider your case but may not agree to alter the decision.

Remember, if you are having difficulties paying your rent:

  • speak to your landlord
  • get advice
  • make regular payments, no matter how small they are.

Housing information in other languages

You can find out more about the housing rights of EEA nationals in Northern Ireland by visting the Housing Advice website:

The site is available in English, Polish, Lithuanian, Slovak, Russian and Portuguese. You can learn more about renting privately, homelessness, sharing a home, paying for your accommodation and other issues that affect migrant workers:

More useful links