Rent Allowance Query

Hello, I've accepted a place on an undergraduate course at a University in Cork, as a mature student; and I have a query about Rent allowance.

I understand that some places do not accept rent allowance and in order for me to be eligible for a grant in the second year i'd have to move out of home as I'm classified as a 'mature dependent', so really what I would like to find out-- should I ask them do they accept rent allowance straight away? or should I accept the T & C's and then ask them.

I don't want to be bound to a rent agreement I can't afford to pay, what is the legal stance on this and/or what is the best way to go about it?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

As a full-time student you may not be eligible for Supplementary Welfare Allowance / Rent Supplement - have you checked that you're eligible to apply?

There are some exceptions for persons on specific education schemes, so you should check that out before committing to any accommodation.

Pending my registration letter from admissions I'll be on a BTEA, so I'd imagine that I should a least be partially eligible for rent allowance. And I'm looking for modest accommodation roughly 400 a month max so I'm not overdoing it.

From a personal standpoint is this a " je ne se qua" for landlords? I mean do they frown on rent allowance because it suggests trouble/class distinction or is there another reason like, Bothersome paperwork or what? If anyone could enlighten me.

I haven't lived out of home in a number of years so, having read through the experienced answers on the forum, this place sounds like a decent place to be briefed before I proceed.

Cheers for the reply

Some landlords are not comfortable dealing with Rent Supplement tenants because they've had a bad experience in the past (which of course can happen with any tenant), or they don't want to provide their details (name, address and PPSN) to the HSE who are obliged to pass them on to the Revenue Commissioners each year.

For some, it's just a personal choice, which as business people, they're perfectly entitled to make!

For the rent costs, you should check out the maximum rent limits which apply to various types of accommodation (single person in shared accom, single person in own unit, couple, etc) - you won't qualify if your rent exceeds this limit. Limits are updated and reviewed regularly by SW. Have a look at www.welfare.ie and follow the links to Rent Supplement where you'll find the current limits.

I think you are only entitled to Rent Supplement under BTEA scheme if you were in receipt of it already immediately before you started the course. I also think you have to be renting outside of your parent's home for 6 months before you can be eligible for rent supplement. If this is the case, you won't qualify for the payment at all!

BTW, I wouldn't be too quick to re-arrange your living arrangements for the possibility of getting the grant in 2nd year (or maybe even this year). An Bord Snip Nua recommended that students will get the grant or BTEA but not both and of all the cuts on offer to the cash-strapped Minister for Education, this is a no-brainer. Students on BTEA are much better off than other welfare recipients such as people on FAS courses, especially if they are independent.

They would potentially get €204.30 per week if they had been on Jobseeker's benefit for example, the majority of their rent paid if on rent supplement, no registration fees of €1500 to pay, a one-off annual cost of education grant in September of €500, a maintenance grant of €6690 AND earn up to €3809 without affecting the other payments during the year. That's a potential to receive €17813.60 net in benefits/grants for a single person and to save €1500 on the reg fee and earn up to €3809 and get a lot of your rent paid also. I don't think there's much hope the govt can afford to keep this up!!!

Hope it doesn't seem that I'm having a go at you but it's best to take into account all the variables!

Yeah, I made the grim discovery about the 6 months thing a few days ago, as well I've made my budget out for the next year on a BTEA so I'm off out in search for a part-time job somewhere. I won't be the first to do so, but I'm very fortunate to have gained the opportunity nonetheless.

I don't think the BTEA covers the 1500 Reg fee as far as I know, but I'm still waiting for the thing to come through.

The BTEA definitely doesn't pay the €1500 reg fee. You only get out of that if you qualify for some part of a maintenance grant. Best of luck with the course!