Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)

It is up to the applicant to source private rented accommodation. The tenancy agreement remains a private agreement between the tenant and their landlord. In general, under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2015, all private residential tenancies must be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board.

Under the HAP scheme, local authorities pay landlords directly. Tenants pay a weekly HAP rent contribution to the local authority, based on their income and ability to pay, further information on differential rent.

Where a person(s) is deemed eligible for HAP, a payment will be made directly to their landlord by the local authority on the last Wednesday of each month.

Who is eligible for HAP?

Persons on the Clare County Council’s housing list. If you are not yet on your local authority’s housing list, you will need to apply by filling in the Social Housing Support Application Form.

Paying your landlord

The local authority will make the HAP payment to your landlord on the last Wednesday of each month, subject to certain conditions:

• You must pay your weekly HAP rent contribution weekly – if not, the HAP will not be paid to your landlord
• If you get a social welfare payment at a post office, you must pay your HAP contribution through An Post’s Household Budget Deduction scheme.
• The accommodation must meet the minimum standards for rented housing
• Your landlord must provide evidence of tax compliance within five months of commencement of a HAP
• You (and your household) must not engage in anti-social behaviour.

If your landlord requires a deposit, you will have to pay this yourself – the local authority will not pay it for you. You may be able to get an “Exceptional Needs Payment” to help with paying the deposit from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

Differential rent payment to local authority

You will pay a weekly HAP rent contribution to the local authority, based on your household’s weekly income. You are obliged to notify the local authority of any changes in your income or household size immediately.

If you take up a job or increase your working hours, you will still be eligible for HAP if you fulfil the other conditions of the scheme. 

If you are already on the housing list, you can request a HAP application form from the Housing Assistance Payment Section.  Assistance under the HAP scheme can only be considered following the receipt of a complete & valid HAP application. Please note that arrears are not paid under the scheme.

Discrimination when letting residential property

The Equal Status Acts 2000–2015 apply to lettings and accommodation. Landlords cannot discriminate against potential tenants on grounds of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community.

You cannot be discriminated against when renting because you are getting one of certain payments, which include HAP. Landlords can no longer state when advertising accommodation that HAP is not accepted. If you feel you have been discriminated against by a landlord or their agent, you can make a complaint under the Equal Status Acts.

How to apply

• If you are not yet on your local authority’s housing list, you will need to apply by filling in the social support Social Housing Support Application Form.
• If you are already on the housing list, you can ask the council for a HAP application form or you can apply online. Please note that a valid Social Housing Number is required for online applications. This form only needs to be filled in when you have found suitable accommodation, or if you are already in private rented accommodation and eligible to transfer to HAP. Your landlord will need to complete and sign part of the HAP application form which they can also complete online.
• If you have been on Rent Supplement for a long time, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection may ask you to contact the council about transferring to HAP.

  Apply for HAP online