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When everyone has a home

Housing advice for Northern Ireland

Court case

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Lots of people are struggling to manage with housing issues because of the coronavirus crisis. Check out our Coronavirus section for information and advice on common problems, including help to pay your rent and mortgage, eviction and repairs.

Judicial review

You may be able to ask for a judicial review if you're unhappy with how a public body has made a decision. This can be a long and expensive process and there's no guarantee that the decision will be changed. You'll need legal advice if you want to apply for a judicial review. Speak to an independent advice agency who may be able to refer you to the Law Centre for more assistance.

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Northern Ireland legal system

The courts may be able to help sort out some housing problems. Most court cases that deal with housing are civil matters, but criminal courts can also hear housing related cases as long as a criminal law is alleged to have been broken. 

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Court costs & legal aid

Court action can be expensive and you may have to pay fees. If you win your case the judge may order the other side to pay some or all of your costs. If you lose your case, you could end up having to pay for the other person's legal costs as well as your own fees and any damages the judge awards. You might be able to get financial help with the costs of legal action through Legal Aid.

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Small claims court

You can use the Small Claims Court to take legal action against someone if you are claiming less than £3000. You don't need a solicitor to go to Small Claims Court so the costs are much lower than the costs for other types of legal action.

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Going to court

You may need to go to court to resolve a housing problem you're having. The type of court you use will depend on your case. You will need a solicitor to help you with most court cases, but you don't need one for Small Claims Court.

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Challenging a negative decision on homelessness or suitability of accommodation

Some of the decisions made by the Housing Executive can be challenged using your legal right to request a review. It’s best to get advice from a housing adviser, like those at Housing Rights, if you’re planning on doing this. The law allows you 28 days to ask for a review from the day you are notified of the decision.

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Getting your deposit back

Most tenants pay a security deposit when they move into a property. This is the tenant's money and should be returned at the end of the tenancy unless the tenant owes the landlord money. The deposit should be returned in full unless the landlord has suffered a genuine financial loss as a result of your actions. If your landlord has unfairly kept some of your deposit you should try to get this money back.

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Challenging a negative decision on homelessness or suitability of accommodation

Some of the decisions made by the Housing Executive can be challenged using your legal right to request a review. It’s best to get advice from a housing adviser, like those at Housing Rights, if you’re planning on doing this. The law allows you 28 days to ask for a review from the day you are notified of the decision.

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