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  • Apply for a home

    This section contains information on how to apply for social rented housing through the Housing Executive or housing associations in Northern Ireland, how we assess applications, and how to request a transfer or exchange.

  • How to apply for a home

    Gives details of how to apply for social rented housing in Northern Ireland through the Housing Executive and housing associations.

  • Choice Based Lettings

    Our Choice Based Lettings scheme lists a number of our currently available homes on the PropertyNews.com website.

  • The points system

    Details of the points system used to determine priority for social housing with the Housing Executive and housing associations in Northern Ireland.

  • Areas of choice

    Areas of choice are the areas where you would like to live when applying for a Housing Executive home. Choosing two or more areas is recommended.

  • Transfers and exchanges

    Housing Executive or housing association tenants can request to transfer or exchange their property for alternative social housing.

  • Buying your Housing Executive home

    Information about buying your Housing Executive home.

  • The Housing Selection Scheme

    The Housing Selection Scheme is the set of rules that decide eligibility for social housing in Northern Ireland and allocates the points that determine position on the waiting list.

  • How we assess your application

    Details of the Housing Executive's assessment procedures for people applying for social housing in Northern Ireland.

  • Eligibility

    If you’ve been a tenant of the Housing Executive, or one of the other eligible social landlords, for five years you can apply to buy your home.

  • How we assess the property price

    We will work out the price we pay for your property based on a number of different factors. Find out how we decide how much we will pay.

  • Complex needs

    If you have special circumstances we can consider specialist housing schemes that offer extra care and support, or arrange a tailored support and care package to allow you to stay in general housing.

  • Advice for young people

    This page has videos giving advice on avoiding homelessness and debt, and the process of looking for and moving into your first home.

  • Allocations

    We usually allocate properties to those applicants with most points on the social housing waiting list who are waiting for the type of property available. Find out how this process works.

  • Applying from outside Northern Ireland

    How to apply for social rented housing with the Housing Executive and housing associations when you live outside Northern Ireland.

  • Selling and renting back

    Owner-occupiers have been approached by companies offering to buy their homes, and then rent them back to them as tenants. It's important you carefully consider all the available information.

  • Buying with the Equity Sharing Scheme

    Read this step-by-step guide to buying your Housing Executive home with the Equity Sharing Scheme.

  • Advice for people from abroad

    Entitlement to social housing and other assistance in Northern Ireland is dependent on where you are from. This page gives information for EEA (European Economic Area) and non-EEA nationals.

  • Mutual exchange scheme leaflet (PDF 790 kb)

  • Housing/Transfer application form (PDF 571 kb)

  • Housing selection scheme (PDF 322 kb)

  • How we allocate accommodation (PDF 265 kb)

  • Housing/Transfer application form - outside Northern Ireland (PDF 659 kb)

  • Housing selection scheme Polish language (PDF 268 kb)

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