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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.
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.
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.
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.
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What counts as intimidation?
You can get help from the Housing Executive if it decides that you have been intimidated. The Housing Executive does not consider all threats to be intimidation. The intimidation must be serious, and it must be:
- racial intimidation
- sectarian intimidation
- terrorist intimidation
- because of your sexuality
- because of a disability
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'm having problems with my neighbours
Contact the police as soon as possible if you feel unsafe in your home because of your neighbours. If your neighbours are carrying out antisocial behaviour you may be able to get help from other agencies.
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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 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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I own my home
You may have to move out before you are able to sell your home. This can cause serious financial problems as you will have to pay for two separate accommodations. 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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