Consumer Fight Back - The Rising Cost of Housing in Northern Ireland

Download The Rising Cost of Housing in Northern Ireland

In this housing special, Linzi Lima and the team investigate the rising cost of housing in Northern Ireland and the impact on you as a consumer.

In Belfast, rents are increasing faster than anywhere else in the UK, now averaging more than £1,100 a month. We hear from one woman working extra shifts to keep up with soaring bills.

Jonathan Wilgenbus‑Lamb from Housing Rights explains what your rights actually are as a tenant and how you can protect yourself in an increasingly competitive market.

In Downpatrick, estate agent Jonathan Quinn shares what he is seeing on the ground and offers practical advice on how to give yourself the best chance of securing a property.

And at the former Mackies site in West Belfast, there’s some good news on the horizon for community‑led projects that could deliver much‑needed new homes for thousands.

If you have a story or experience you want to share email cfb@bbc.co.uk

Published on Saturday, 4th April 2026.

Available Podcasts from Consumer Fight Back

Subscribe to Consumer Fight Back

We are not the BBC, we only list available podcasts. To find out more about the programme including episodes available on BBC iPlayer, go to the Consumer Fight Back webpage.