Harassment and unlawful eviction of a tenant
Harassment and illegal eviction are criminal offences.
The local council's Environmental Health office investigates complaints about landlord harassment or illegal eviction of tenants. They have authority to 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 before letting a new tenancy. The council can prosecute landlords who don't comply with the Private Tenancies Order (Northern Ireland) 2006. For example, they can prosecute a landlord who doesn't give a tenant:
- a rent book
- a statement of tenancy terms
The council can also prosecute a landlord who:
- doesn't protect a tenant’s deposit
- doesn't register as a landlord
Landlord registration
Landlords must be registered if they rent houses or flats to private tenants.
If you live in private rented accommodation, you can check that your landlord is registered. Go to:
Complaining about a landlord
When the council receives a complaint from a tenant, an Environmental Health officer will investigate. They may ask the landlord to provide information to the tenant. Where a landlord persistently fails to provide information, the council can prosecute.
Landlord's obligation to protect your tenancy deposit
Since 1 April 2013 your landlord must protect a new deposit in one of the approved tenancy deposit schemes within 14 days of receiving the deposit from you.
Your landlord must also give you specific information about the scheme your deposit is protected in within 28 days of having received 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 - Housing Advice NI website