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Know Your Renting Rights

Understanding your rights as a renter can help you make informed decisions, resolve problems and understand your landlord's responsibilities. SouthLet brings together official government guidance and independent support resources to help you find reliable information.

Where is your home?

Showing guidance for Northern Ireland. Housing law is different in each UK nation.

Topics

  1. Tenancy agreements and starting a tenancyWhat kind of tenancy you have and what you should be given at the start.
  2. Rent payments and rent increasesHow rent can be increased and how to challenge an increase.
  3. Deposits and deposit protectionWhere your deposit should be held and how to get it back.
  4. Repairs, maintenance and disrepairWhich repairs your landlord is responsible for and how to report them.
  5. Damp, mould and housing conditionsWhat to do about damp, mould and unsafe conditions.
  6. Eviction, possession and notice periodsWhen a landlord can ask you to leave and what notice they must give.
  7. Landlord access and tenant privacyWhen your landlord can come into your home.
  8. Pets and reasonable requestsAsking to keep a pet and how your landlord must respond.
  9. Discrimination and housing rightsProtection from unfair treatment when renting.
  10. Landlord responsibilities and safety requirementsGas, electrical, fire and energy safety duties.
  11. Complaints, disputes and redress schemesHow to complain and where to go if it isn't resolved.
  12. Ending a tenancy and moving outGiving notice, check-out and getting your deposit back.

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 mainly changes the law in England. It does not set the renting rules in Northern Ireland.

Official guidance and support — Northern Ireland