Can my council force my landlord to make repairs?

Yes. If environmental health finds a statutory hazard the council can issue improvement or prohibition notices that require the landlord to make repairs.

What if the landlord tries to evict me after I complain?

Illegal or retaliatory eviction is prohibited. Keep records, seek advice promptly and raise the matter with the council and the Department for Communities if you suspect retaliation.

Where can I get help with a tenancy dispute in Northern Ireland?

Contact your local council's environmental health team for hazards and the Department for Communities Private Tenancies Branch for tenancy rights; some disputes may be considered by the appropriate NI tribunal.

How to Report Unsafe Housing to Your NI Council

Living in unsafe housing can be stressful for tenants in Northern Ireland. This page explains how renters can report hazards such as damp, mould, faulty heating or unsafe wiring to their local council, what evidence to collect, which official forms to use and the timelines to expect. It also covers when to contact the Private Tenancies Branch or tribunal, and how to seek repairs or enforcement if a landlord does not act. The guidance uses plain language, practical steps and links to official government forms so you can act promptly to protect your health and legal rights as a tenant.

What counts as unsafe housing?

Unsafe housing includes anything that risks health or safety: widespread damp and mould, lack of heating in winter, exposed electrical wiring, structural problems or severe water leaks. These issues can affect your right to a habitable home and may be enforced by your local council's environmental health team.

Common hazards to report

Damp, persistent mould or rising damp affecting living rooms or bedrooms.
No or unreliable heating during cold months.
Exposed or faulty electrical wiring, frequent power trips or smoke.
Ongoing plumbing leaks, flooded ceilings or loss of hot water.
Infestations that affect safety or sanitation.

In most regions, tenants are entitled to basic habitability standards.

Before you contact your council

Collect clear evidence and try to notify your landlord in writing first. Keep records of dates, times and all contacts. If the landlord does not respond or the hazard is serious, report it to environmental health at your local council. Local procedures vary, so check your council's contact page for the correct complaint form and submission method.^[2]

Take dated photos and short videos showing the hazard.
Keep copies of emails, texts and letters telling the landlord about the problem.
Record health effects or medical visits related to the issue.
Note dates when you reported the issue and any promised repair dates.

Detailed documentation increases your chances of success in disputes.

Official law and forms you should know

The Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 sets rules on tenant protections and landlord obligations in Northern Ireland.^[1] There is no single national "unsafe housing" form: you usually report hazards using your local councils environmental health complaint form, and you may use Department for Communities contact routes for tenancy issues.^[3]

Typical official forms and routes (what they are and when to use them):

Environmental Health complaint form (varies by council) — used to report hazards so council officers can inspect and, if needed, issue improvement notices. Example: if you have severe mould affecting breathing and the landlord wont act, submit your local councils form and attach photos and correspondence.
Department for Communities contact/complaint route — for tenancy-wide or statutory compliance queries under the Private Tenancies Act (NI) 2022; use this when the issue involves tenancy rights or systemic landlord failures.