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Don't stay in your home if you don't feel safe. You may be able to get help from the Housing Executive if you have been attacked in your home. If you are having problems when renting privately your landlord may be able to help.
When will the Housing Executive decide that I've been intimidated
The Housing Executive does not consider all threats to be intimidation. The intimidation must be serious, and it must be one of the following:
- racial intimidation;
- sectarian intimidation;
- terrorist intimidation;
- because of your sexuality;
- because of a disability
- a genuine risk of attack, likely to cause death or serious injury.
There is a very high threshold for proving a genuine intimidation threat and the Housing Executive will often look to the police or other agencies to confirm such a threat. If you think you may be subject to intimidation, but the Housing Executive does not agree, contact Housing Rights Service for advice.
The Housing Executive will award you 200 points if it decides that you have been intimidated from your home. You should also get the 200 intimidation points if your home has been destroyed or you can't live in your home because of the risk of an attack
The Housing Executive should consider you homeless if it decides you have been intimidated from your home. You may also be able to get an emergency grant from the Housing Executive. Contact your local Housing Executive District Office for more information.
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I own my home
You may have to move out before you are able to sell your home. This can cause financial problems as you will have to pay for two separate properties. The Housing Executive may be able to purchase your home if you have been a victim of intimidation. This is known as the Scheme for the Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings (SPED).
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I'm having problems with my housemates
If you are renting privately you should tell your landlord if you feel unsafe around the people who live with you . Your landlord may be able to evict the violent person. However, your landlord will have to give the person at least 28 days' notice to quit and get a court order before the person will have to leave the accommodation.
Your landlord could also apply for an injunction to stop the person acting this way.
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My landlord is harassing me
Your landlord may try to force you to move out by harassing you. Your landlord may be doing this so s/he won't have to follow the proper procedure for evicting you. Your landlord could be guilty of a criminal offence if s/he is harassing you.
What is harassment?
Harassment can be carried out by your landlord or someone acting for your landlord, like an agent. Harassment includes things that stop you living peaceably in your home. For example:
- harassment because of your race;
- harassment because of your gender;
- harassment because of your sexuality;
- harassment because of your religion.
What can I do about harassment?
Don't wait until the harassment is obvious or intentional before acting. You can:
- keep evidence of what happens;
- go to an advice centre for help;
- ask your landlord to put all communication with you in writing;
- write to the landlord saying if the harassment continues you will take legal action.
In an emergency, such as if you have been locked out, contact the  Environmental Health Department of your local council.
An environmental health officer will investigate your complaint to check if you have been a victim of harassment. The environmental health department may be able to help you resolve the situation without going to court.
You may want to contact the Police if:
- the environmental health department isn't able to help immediately;
- you have been threatened with violence.
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What happens if the Housing Executive decides that I haven't been intimidated?
The Housing Executive can only give you intimidation points if the intimidation was:
- terrorist;
- racist;
- sectarian;
- because of your sexuality;
- because of a disability.
Your home must have been destroyed in the attack or it is unsafe for you to continue to live in the accommodation.
You can still apply to be rehoused by the Housing Executive using the selection scheme. You won't get temporary accommodation while applying and you won't get the 200 intimidation points.
Get advice if you don't feel safe in your home. An adviser can help you explore your options. Advice is available from Housing Rights Service.
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