Belfast,
red brick and BT.
Red brick terraces, shared student houses near Queen's and homes heated by oil or gas. What Belfast pros need to know, and how booking one works on AYS.
- NationNorthern Ireland
- RegionCounty Antrim and County Down
- Postcode areaBT (Belfast)
- Popular herePlumbing, Home cleaning, Roofing
Pros choose the postcode districts they cover, so results can differ from one street to the next. Check yours to see who covers it today.
Booking a pro
in Belfast.
Belfast's streets are lined with red brick terraces, many built in the Victorian and Edwardian years when the city was growing fast, alongside larger villas around the Malone Road and newer homes on the edges of the city. Northern Ireland has its own building regulations and housing laws, separate from the rest of the UK, so a local pro matters more than you might think.
AYS is new and opens area by area, so we cannot promise a pro covers your Belfast street yet. Enter your BT postcode, such as BT7 for the Holylands and Ormeau or BT4 for east Belfast, and you will see who covers it today. If you are a Belfast tradesperson, cleaner, barber or valeter, you can join now and be among the first pros customers find.
Terraces, villas and two kinds of heating
The classic Belfast terrace is two up, two down in red brick, often with a rear return and a small yard. The Holylands streets near Queen's were laid out in the 1890s, and many terraces there are now shared student houses. Older brick needs careful repointing, and slate roofs and chimneys take a lot of rain.
Heating is different here too. Most homes in Northern Ireland are heated by oil, though gas is far more common in Belfast, where the mains network arrived in the 1990s. If you need a boiler engineer, say whether yours runs on oil or gas. Gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and an oil boiler needs a technician trained to work on oil systems.
Good to know
before you book.
Local things that change how a job is done, or what it costs.
Building control in Belfast
Northern Ireland has its own Building Regulations, separate from England, Scotland and Wales. In Belfast you apply to Belfast City Council's building control service for approval, using full plans, a building notice for minor domestic work, or regularisation for work already done. Some jobs are exempt. Planning permission may also be needed. Ask the council if you are unsure.
Shared houses and HMO licensing
Houses in multiple occupation in Northern Ireland need a licence, and Belfast City Council runs the licensing service for every council in Northern Ireland. If you are a landlord booking repairs, an electrical check or a clean for a shared house in the Holylands or Stranmillis, tell the pro, as they may need to give you paperwork for your licence.
Parking is run by DfI
In Northern Ireland, residents' parking schemes are run by the Department for Infrastructure, not the council, and Belfast has very few of them. Tell your pro where they can park and unload, especially for jobs near the city centre or Queen's. nidirect has the current rules.
Electrical checks for landlords
Since 2025, private landlords in Northern Ireland must have the fixed electrical installation in a rented home inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years, under the Private Tenancies Act rules. Part P does not apply here. If you are booking an inspection, say it is a rental, and check the Department for Communities guidance for the details.
Often needed
in Belfast.
Each service page explains what is covered, how pricing works and how to get ready.
Plumbing
Belfast homes run on gas or oil boilers, and older terraces often hide old pipework. Say which fuel you use so the right engineer comes out.
Home cleaning
Shared houses in the Holylands and around Queen's turn over each summer, and end of tenancy cleans in a busy terrace need a clear plan for bins and parking.
Roofing
Slate roofs, chimney stacks and the valley over the back return take a lot of wet, windy weather. Leaks often start where the return meets the main house.
Electrician
Landlords in Northern Ireland now need regular electrical checks on rented homes, and older red brick terraces may need a new consumer unit or rewiring.
Mobile detailing
Many Belfast terraces have no driveway, so tell a detailer where the car is parked and whether they can reach water and power from the house.
Can I book a pro in Belfast on AYS yet?
AYS is a new platform and is opening area by area, so coverage in Belfast depends on which pros have joined and chosen your BT postcode district. Enter your postcode to see who covers it today. If no one does yet, check back soon. Every pro passes a photo ID check and a review by our team before they can take bookings.
Does Part P apply to electrical work in Belfast?
No. Part P is part of the building regulations for England and Wales only. Northern Ireland has its own Building Regulations. Electrical work should still be done by a competent electrician to the wiring regulations, BS 7671, and you should ask for a certificate when the job is done. Larger building work may need approval from Belfast City Council's building control.
Do I need building control approval for work on my house?
Many jobs do, including extensions, structural changes and loft conversions, while some small works are exempt. In Belfast you apply to Belfast City Council. Doing work without approval can lead to enforcement and can cause problems when you sell or remortgage. If you are unsure, contact the council's building control team before the work starts.
My boiler runs on oil. Can a Gas Safe engineer service it?
Gas Safe registration covers gas appliances, not oil. An oil boiler needs a technician trained to work on oil heating systems, so mention the fuel type when you describe your job. Many Belfast homes are on gas, but oil is common across Northern Ireland, so it is worth checking before you book.
Work in Belfast?
Get booked for it.
Join AYS as a pro. Choose the Belfast postcode districts you cover, set your own prices and take bookings from customers nearby.