Tenant Repair Rights: Northern Ireland Guide

Living in a rented home means you’re entitled to a safe, well-maintained property. This guide explains your rights as a tenant for repairs in Northern Ireland, how to request action from your landlord, and what to do if repairs are delayed or refused. All information is current and uses official Northern Ireland legal sources.

What Are Landlords Responsible For?

By law, landlords in Northern Ireland must ensure that the property is kept in a reasonable state of repair. This means both the structure and services should be safe and usable. Typical landlord duties include:

• Making sure the property is wind and watertight
• Ensuring gas, electricity, water, and heating are working safely
• Repairing the roof, windows, doors, plumbing, sanitary fittings, and heating systems
• Addressing damp, rot, or infestations

These responsibilities are set out mainly in the Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.^[1]

Your Rights as a Tenant

You have a right to request repairs when something in your home breaks or becomes unsafe. Landlords can’t make you pay for repairs that are their legal responsibility. If you ask for a repair, your landlord or letting agent must respond within a reasonable time, depending on the urgency.

How to Request a Repair

It's best to contact your landlord or letting agent in writing (email, letter, or text) to keep a record:

• Describe the problem and how it affects you
• Request urgent repairs if your health or safety is at risk
• Keep copies of all correspondence and any photos

What If the Landlord Doesn't Carry Out Repairs?

Sometimes landlords delay, ignore, or refuse to make repairs. If that happens, you have several options:

• Send a second, more urgent written reminder
• Contact your local council's Environmental Health department—especially if the issue involves serious hazards such as no heating or unsafe wiring
• You must not withhold rent or arrange your own repairs without professional advice, as this could risk eviction or legal action

If urgent repairs threaten health or safety, the council can order the landlord to act or carry out the repairs and recover costs from them.

Making a Formal Complaint or Taking Further Action

If issues remain unresolved, you can make a formal complaint:

• Environmental Health Intervention: Contact your local council's Environmental Health. They’ll inspect your home and can serve legal notices on your landlord.
• Rent Assessment Committee (Northern Ireland): This is the official tribunal for private tenants. If tenancy conditions are breached, you may apply for a rent assessment or help with repairs. Learn more at the Department of Justice: Private Tenancies.

Relevant Official Forms in Northern Ireland

• Application to Environmental Health (Housing Disrepair Complaints): There isn't a fixed government form; usually, complaints are handled through a local council's Environmental Health Service. Example: If your heating is broken and the landlord ignores your request, contact your council online or by phone to start an urgent disrepair complaint.
• Rent Assessment Committee Application: You may write to the committee via your local Rent Assessment Committee (NI). There isn't an official digital form, but the process includes supplying evidence of the repairs problem and correspondence with your landlord.

Summary of Tenancy Legislation

All private residential tenancies in Northern Ireland are governed by the Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.^[1] Your tenancy agreement may set out extra repair terms, but cannot remove landlord duties set by law.

FAQs: Tenant Rights for Repairs in Northern Ireland

1. Can my landlord make me pay for repairs?
   Generally, landlords are responsible for most repairs (for example, heating, plumbing, electrics). You may pay for minor repairs related to daily wear and tear or anything you damaged.
2. How quickly must a landlord complete repairs?
   It depends on urgency. Emergencies (like no heat in winter or dangerous electrics) should be fixed within 24-48 hours. Less urgent repairs should be started within a reasonable timeframe—usually days or weeks.
3. Who do I contact if my landlord ignores my repair request?
   First, send a written reminder. If this fails, contact your local council’s Environmental Health team to inspect and take action.
4. Is it safe to stop paying rent if repairs aren't done?
   You must not withhold rent unless advised by a legal expert. Doing so may risk eviction or court action against you.
5. Can I take my landlord to a tribunal for repair issues?
   Yes, you can contact the Rent Assessment Committee in Northern Ireland if your landlord breaches tenancy or repair obligations. This is the formal route for disputes or ongoing issues.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Northern Ireland Housing Executive: Renting Privately – Tenancy advice and support
• Department of Justice: Private Tenancies – Legislation and tribunal information
• Local Council Environmental Health Contacts – Report urgent property hazards or repairs
• Housing Rights NI: Repairs in Rented Accommodation – Detailed tenant information and support

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1. Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

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