Housing Rights

As well as providing a stand, Housing Rights delivered short information sessions.   Eamonn, the facilitator specialises in housing relating to young people, with student issues being one of the areas of expertise.  He included information on the most common issues facing students:

• Leaving tenancies early - options available where students want to leave private tenancies before the fixed term has expired
• Harassment and illegal eviction - the rights students have re illegal eviction and harassment from their landlord/estate agent while in a private tenancy 
• Deposit tips/ disputes - e.g., registered with TDS vs not registered and options available 
• Repairs - obligations on students/landlords for repairs 

Questions about Landlord contracts featured heavily on the night.  If you are considering signing a contract but are unsure of some of the conditions, Housing Rights can be contacted to talk you through it and offer advice.  Their website link is below:

Housing for students | Housing Advice NI

Belfast City Council – HMO Unit

If you’re thinking of renting an HMO (the main home of three or more people who are from more than two households), you should check that the property is licensed as a HMO and that it complies with the legislation. It should be safe, good quality, and have suitable facilities for the number of people living there. For more information, check out the website: 

Houses in Multiple Occupation (belfastcity.gov.uk)

SU Advice

SU Advice is a Queen’s Students’ Union service which provides confidential and impartial advice and guidance for all Queen’s students on a wide range of student issues, including private and University accommodation matters such as checking tenancy agreements, repair issues, ending a tenancy early and deposit schemes. Advice is also provided on developing good money management and budgeting skills; something which is really important when moving into rented accommodation.