Housing standards

If we receive a report of a housing problem or issue, or a tenant or landlord requests it, we will carry out property inspections on any dwelling in Belfast.

Depending on the conditions of the dwelling we may issue one of the following notices:

Statutory Nuisance Abatement Notices

Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, if we are satisfied that a statutory nuisance exists we will serve a statutory nuisance abatement notice on the person responsible for the nuisance, or if appropriate the owner or occupier of the premises.

We can issue these notices on both social and private landlords.

Examples of statutory nuisances: The notice will specify the works required to correct the nuisance, and will specify a time frame within which the works must be completed.

Failure to comply with this notice is an offence.

If you do not comply with a Statutory Nuisance Abatement Notice you can be fined up to £5,000.

The above notice entitles private landlords to apply for a NIHE repair grant.

Notice of Unfitness

Under the Private Tenancies (NI) Order 2006 if we are satisfied that a privately rented dwelling is unfit to live in, we may serve a Notice of Unfitness on the owner of the property if this is the most appropriate course of action.

If a dwelling fails one of more of the following fitness standard requirements we will deem it unfit to live in.
  1. It must be structurally stable
  2. It must be free from serious disrepair
  3. It must be free from dampness which could have a negative effect on the health of the occupants
  4. It must have adequate lighting, heating and ventilation
  5. It must have an adequate piped supply of water
  6. It must have satisfactory facilities in the house for preparing and cooking food, including a sink with hot and cold water
  7. It must have a suitably located toilet for the exclusive use of the occupants
  8. It must have, for the exclusive use of the occupants, (if any), a suitably located fixed bath or shower and wash-hand basin each of which is provided with a satisfactory supply of hot and cold water
  9. It must have an effective system for draining foul, waste and surface water.
If we are satisfied the property is unfit, we will write to the landlord in the first instance advising them what steps are required to make the house fit.

If the landlord does not agree to do the works outlined in the letter we will issue a Notice of Unfitness. This notice will specify the works required, and a timescale within which the works must be completed.

Failure to comply with this notice is an offence.

If a landlord refuses to comply with a Notice of Unfitness they can be fined up to £2,500.

If the dwelling was built before 1 January 1945, and is unfit, we will notify the Department of Social Development, Rent officer, and they may reduce the rent.

And if your tenancy began after 1 April 2007, and the dwelling was built before1945 then the landlord may need to apply to us for a Certificate of Fitness.

A Notice of Unfitness can also be issued on post-1945 dwellings, but the rent will not be controlled. For further information on rent control contact the Department of Social Development or visit nidirect

If we deem the house unfit, this does not mean the tenant must vacate the property. But, if extensive works are required, they may be required to vacate the property temporarily.

Notice of Disrepair

Under the Private Tenancies (NI) Order 2006 we can issue Notices of Disrepair on any private landlord where their rented property is fit but there is substantial disrepair, or where the disrepair is such that it would affect the comfort of the tenant, for example, defective central heating system.

In most cases we will notify the landlord of our intention to issue a Notice of Disrepair, and will outline the works required. If the landlord does not agree to do the works outlined in the letter we will issue a Notice of Disrepair.

The Notice of Disrepair will specify the works required, and the timeframe for completion. If a landlord does not comply with the Notice of Disrepair we can take legal action and they can be fined up to £2,500.

A Notice of Disrepair does not entitle the landlord to grant aid, unless the property is subject to a protected or statutory tenancy under the Rent Order (NI) 1978.