Simon "Locked out of the market" report (Nov 2026)

[patfert1]

12 properties to rent within HAP limits in September

Only 12 properties were available to rent within any of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme limits in September, according to a new report.

www.rte.ie

Only 12 properties were available to rent within any of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme limits in September, according to a new report.

The latest Simon Communities of Ireland's Locked Out of the Market report found 1,361 properties were available to rent at any price within the 16 areas surveyed over three dates surveyed that month.

While I appreciate the main goal of this report is to raise awareness of rising rent levels, it is not the case that HAP is intended to pay all of a tenant's rent, which the article and its title implies.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/renting-a-home/help-with-renting/housing-assistance-payment

 

[Bronte]

My understanding was

- HAP paid most of a tenants rent
- the Tenant paid a small percentage, depending on income
- HAP paid the full amount of the rent to the landlord
- there are ceilings on rent
- A HAP tenant is not allowed to pay a top up

Eg rent is 800, Hap pays 800 of which 700 comes from HAP and 100 from the tenant. If the ceiling was 800, and the landlord wanted 1000, the tenant could not agree to pay the 200 shortfall.

 

[patfert1]

- A HAP tenant is not allowed to pay a top up

This is allowed and I have a tenant doing just that. See the quote in my original post.

If we take the table in

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/renting-a-home/help-with-renting/housing-assistance-payment/

So let's say a couple John and Joan rent a place in Carlow for 600 a month. The council determines they should pay a contribution each month, let's say 100 - that goes to the council I believe. HAP pays the landlord 510, and John and Joan directly pay the landlord 90 as a top-up.

If John and Joan don't make their monthly contributions, HAP can stop paying to the landlord, and then John and Joan are liable for paying the full 600 to the landlord. The council or the HAP administration is not a party to the contract (in my experience anyhow) and has no liability to pay the landlord.

I'll also add that the HAP payment to the landlord is in arrears, at the end of the month, even when the tenant's payment is due on the 1st of that month.