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Episode details

Radio Ulster,04 Apr 2026,56 mins

The Rising Cost of Housing in Northern Ireland

Consumer Fight Back

Available for 28 days

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

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