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Landlord’s letter to a tenant about rent arrears (Northern Ireland)
Northern Ireland · in English · for landlords
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For a private landlord or letting agent in Northern Ireland whose tenant has fallen behind with the rent. The letter sets out the arrears period by period, asks the tenant to pay or propose a repayment plan by a set date, points to free advice from Housing Rights, Advice NI and others, and carries the landlord registration number. It says that if the arrears are not resolved the landlord may end the tenancy by notice to quit, as the law and the tenancy allow, and then apply to the court. It never threatens to change the locks or remove belongings.
- Made for use in Northern Ireland
- Last updated October 29, 2026
- Document in English
Where a UK document reproduces the words of legislation or of a government publication — UK, Scottish or Northern Irish — it contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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When to use this document
- Your tenant in Northern Ireland has missed several rent payments and is not answering your calls.
- The rent keeps arriving late and short, and the arrears are growing.
- You want to set out what is owed and offer the tenant a way to pay it off.
- You want to warn your tenant in writing before thinking about ending the tenancy.
What you fill in
The details the document asks for.
- Landlord
- Landlord's address
- Town or city
- Landlord's postcode
- Landlord registration number
- Date
- Tenant
- Address of the property
- Amount of rent
- Rent is paid every
- Amount of arrears
- Months in arrears and the amount owed for each
- Date by which the tenant is asked to pay or reply
Common questions
- How much notice must a landlord in Northern Ireland give to end a tenancy over rent arrears?
- On 29 October 2026 the landlord’s notice to quit is the same whatever the reason: at least four weeks if the tenancy has lasted up to 12 months, eight weeks from 12 months to ten years, and twelve weeks after that (Article 14 of the Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, as amended in 2022). A fixed term cannot be ended this way while it runs. Draft regulations would add longer periods, a shorter period for substantial arrears and a prescribed form; they are not yet in force.
- Where can a tenant in rent arrears in Northern Ireland get free help?
- Housing Rights gives free housing advice across Northern Ireland; Advice NI, with its Debt Action NI service, Citizens Advice Northern Ireland and StepChange give free debt advice and can help draw up a budget and a repayment offer. A tenant on benefits should also contact the office that pays them about help with housing costs. Talking to the landlord early, with an offer in writing, is usually the best first step.
- Can a landlord in Northern Ireland change the locks when a tenant stops paying?
- No. Only a court order ends a tenant’s right to live in the home if they stay after a notice to quit, and it is enforced by the Enforcement of Judgments Office, not by the landlord. Changing the locks, removing belongings or harassing a tenant to make them leave can be a criminal offence. Recover the arrears through the tenancy, a repayment plan or, if needed, the court.
How you can sign this document
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