Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on Irish Acts of the Oireachtas, statutory instruments, and official guidance.
Irish National Law
What is this right?
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a social housing support that helps people who qualify for social housing to rent privately. Under HAP:
- Your local authority pays the landlord directly (up to a maximum limit).
- You pay a differential rent to the local authority based on your income (usually much less than the market rent).
- HAP is available in all local authority areas nationwide.
- HAP tenants have the same rights as all other private tenants under the Residential Tenancies Acts.
HAP has largely replaced Rent Supplement (administered by DSP) for long-term housing needs.
When does it apply?
- You are qualified for social housing support — your local authority has assessed your income and housing need.
- You find a property yourself and the landlord agrees to accept HAP.
- The rent must be within the HAP rent limits for your area (increased limits may apply in areas with high rents).
- You may also qualify for the Homeless HAP scheme, which has higher rent limits and additional supports.
- A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you solely because you receive HAP — this is discrimination under the Equal Status Acts (the "housing assistance" ground was added in 2015).
What should you do?
- Apply to your local authority for a social housing assessment — you must be on the housing list to qualify for HAP.
- Once approved, find a property and get the landlord to complete the HAP application form.
- The local authority will set up direct payments to the landlord.
- If a landlord refuses to accept HAP, they may be discriminating — you can make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) under the Equal Status Acts.
- If your income changes, inform your local authority — your differential rent will be adjusted.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't make informal "top-up" payments to the landlord above the HAP rate without informing the local authority — this can affect your eligibility.
- Don't assume HAP tenants have fewer rights — you have full tenant protections under the Residential Tenancies Acts.
- Don't give up if a landlord says no — HAP discrimination is unlawful and you can enforce your rights.
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