Problems with your landlord - how the council can help
Harassment and illegal eviction are criminal offences. If you experience harassment from your landlord, you should contact the local council's Environmental Health office. They have authority to investigate and can take legal action against a landlord.
Harassment and unlawful eviction of a tenant
The local council investigates complaints about landlord harassment or illegal eviction of tenants. They can prosecute landlords for these offences.
To contact the council in your area, go to:
Landlord's obligations to a tenant
All private landlords must register with the Landlord Registration Scheme before letting a new tenancy. The council can prosecute a landlord who doesn't give a tenant:
- a free tenancy information notice within 28 days of the start of the tenancy
- a notice of variation within 28 days of any changes to the original tenancy information notice
- a written receipt for any cash payment
- a copy of an electrical safety report to a new tenant before they occupy the premises
- a copy of the report to an existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection and test
The council can also prosecute a landlord who:
- doesn't protect a tenant’s deposit
- doesn't register as a landlord
- rents a property to multiple tenants but doesn't license it as a house in multiple occupation
- requests or retains a tenancy deposit that is more than one month’s rent
- fails to comply with the duty to keep in repair and proper working order sufficient appliances for detecting smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide in a private tenancy
Landlord registration
Landlords must be registered if they rent houses or flats to private tenants.
If you live in private rented accommodation and want to check your landlord is registered, go to:
You can check if they've registered the property you're living in:
Complaining about a landlord
When the council receives a complaint from a tenant, an Environmental Health officer will investigate. They might ask the landlord to provide information to the tenant. When a landlord won't provide information, the council can prosecute.
Landlord's obligation to protect your tenancy deposit
Since 1 April 2023 your landlord must protect a new deposit in one of the approved tenancy deposit schemes within 28 days of receiving the deposit from you.
Your landlord must also give you specific information about the scheme your deposit is protected in within 35 days of getting the deposit from you.
The council can fine your landlord if they don't meet their landlord obligations.
- Landlord Registration Scheme
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme - information for tenants
- Local councils in Northern Ireland
- Illegal eviction