Question
Are advertisements saying that landlords won’t accept tenants
getting Rent Supplement allowed?
Answer
Equality legislation applies to lettings and accommodation. The Equal
Status Acts 2000-2015 ban certain kinds of discrimination. Broadly speaking, discrimination means that you receive less favourable
treatment than other people in a comparable situation on grounds of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation,
religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community. Landlords cannot discriminate
against potential tenants on these grounds.
Since 1 January 2016, following
an amendment to the Equal Status Acts, landlords cannot discriminate against
tenants because they are getting Rent Supplement or any other social welfare
payment, or a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). This means that landlords can
no longer state when advertising accommodation that Rent Supplement (or HAP) is
not accepted and they cannot refuse to rent you accommodation because you are
getting Rent Supplement, HAP or a social welfare payment.
However if you are sharing with
the home owner (under the Rent a Room Scheme, for example), a license agreement
exists and the Acts do not apply. There are some other exemptions. If you feel
you have been discriminated against by a landlord or their agent, you can contact the Workplace Relations
Commission to find out more about making a complaint under the Equal Status
Acts. Visit workplacerelations.ie for contact details.
For more information about your
rights you can contact the Irish Human Rights and Equality
Commission.
Further
information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below.
Know Your Rights has been compiled by Boyle
Citizens Information Centre which provides a free and confidential service
to the public. Tel: 0761 07 6330
Address: Elphin Street, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
Information is also available online at citizensinformation.ie
and from the Citizens Information Phone Service - 0761 07 4000
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