Can you get HAP for a room in a shared house?
Yes: HAP can pay for a room in a shared house, at a lower limit than a whole home. The shared accommodation limits, how to apply, renting a room in the landlord's home, and when a landlord can't refuse HAP.
- How to choose a lodger fairly (and legally)
- Rooms to rent
- Citizens Information – Housing Assistance Payment
- Citizens Information – sharing accommodation with your landlord
- HAP – landlord booklet
- IHREC – discrimination in housing
HAP for a room
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) can be paid for a single person or a couple in shared accommodation. The rent limits for shared accommodation are lower than for a whole home.
For example, the monthly limit for one adult in shared accommodation is €430 in Dublin City, €300 in Cork City and €330 in Galway City (against €660, €550 and €575 for a single adult's own home). Councils can go up to 35% above the limits in some cases. Citizens Information has the full table.
How to apply
You need to be on your local council's housing list. You find the room yourself, then the council arranges the HAP with the landlord. The property can be inspected.
In a normal tenancy the landlord must be registered with the RTB.
A room in the landlord's own home
HAP can also be claimed for accommodation you share with your landlord, if the arrangement is genuine. The landlord doesn't register a room in their own home with the RTB.
Can a landlord refuse HAP?
Not in a house share where the landlord doesn't live: housing assistance is a protected ground under the Equal Status Acts, and ads can't say "no HAP".
The exception is a room in the landlord's own home, where equal status law doesn't apply.
On StayLister, advertisers can show "HAP welcome" on their ad, and you can search with the "HAP accepted" filter under More filters.
Common questions
Can I get HAP for a room in a house share?
Yes, at the lower shared accommodation limit, for example €430 a month for one adult in Dublin City.
Can a landlord refuse HAP for a room?
Not in a house share where they don't live. They can for a room in their own home.