Different people's rights

Young people under 18

If you are under 18 you have different rights to benefits and accommodation. You can only claim benefits in your own right after your sixteenth birthday. If you are under 18, you can only claim benefits in special circumstances.

If you are under 18 get advice as soon as possible. You will probably need help to make sure you get everything you are entitled to as the rules are complicated.

It is sometimes difficult for young people to find somewhere to live. The Housing Executive has a legal duty to give housing advice and information on preventing homelessness to anyone who asks in Northern Ireland.

Many private landlords are reluctant to rent to people under 18, even though it is legally possible for them to do so. Even if you find a landlord willing to rent you a place to live, you may need a guarantor (an older person who guarantees to pay the rent if you don't) to get a tenancy.

The Housing Executive considers most people under 18 as children in need. This means that social services will have responsibility for housing you. This could mean placing you in a children's home if no other appropriate accommodation is available.

People who have lived abroad

If you have lived abroad you may have different rights depending on:

when you entered the country;

the purpose of your stay in the country;

if you are seeking asylum;

if you are a European Union national.

The rules about people from abroad are complicated. You will probably need help to make sure that you get everything you are entitled to. If you are seeking asylum in Northern Ireland, contact the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM).

If you are under 18, have lived abroad or are seeking asylum you should get advice immediately. The rules on who can get help can be complicated. An adviser may be able to help you get everything you are entitled to. You can get advice from Housing Rights Service. You can also use the Advice Services Directory to find agencies in your area.