Restrictions to your choice of area
You can choose which areas you want to live in. You may have different rights if you have been intimidated out of your home or you have been convicted or charged with sexual abuse of children.
I have been intimidated out of my home
Your areas of choice may be restricted if the Housing Executive decides that you have been intimidated out of your home. You won't be allowed to move into an area if there is a significant risk that you may be attacked when you move in.
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I have been charged with sexual abuse of children
Your areas of choice will be restricted if you have been charged with a Schedule 1 offence. This includes offences relating to indecent photographs of children. Your area of choice will also be restricted if you have been charged with similarly serious offences outside Northern Ireland.
You will only be offered accommodation that the Probation Board for Northern Ireland thinks is suitable for your circumstances. You will usually only be offered accommodation that is:
- mostly let to people with no children
- separate from accommodation where people with children live
- allowed by the Probation Board for Northern Ireland
If you are acquitted of the sexual offences restrictions on your areas of choice will be lifted.
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I have been convicted of sexual abuse of children
Your areas of choice will be restricted if you received a custodial sentence (or a suspended custodial sentence) after being convicted of a Schedule 1 offence. Your area of choice will also be restricted if you have been convicted of similarly serious offences outside Northern Ireland.
You will only be offered accommodation that the Probation Board for Northern Ireland thinks is suitable for your circumstances. You will usually only be offered accommodation that is:
- mostly let to people with no children
- separate from accommodation where people with children live
- allowed by the Probation Board Northern Ireland
Get advice if you have been told that you can't apply for housing in a certain area. Advice is available from Housing Rights Service.
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