Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 November 2018
117. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a landlord register of HAP properties will be made available to persons in advance of taking up a tenancy with HAP support; his views on whether auctioneers and estate agents must be obliged to advertise HAP properties; the efforts he has made to date as regards same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47008/18]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) provides fast, flexible housing support to households in an area of their choice. At the end of Quarter 2 2018, over 37,750 tenancies were being supported by the HAP scheme, including over 9,000 additional households in 2018.
Under HAP, a tenant sources their own accommodation in the private rented market. The tenancy agreement is between the tenant and the landlord and is covered by the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended). The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned.
The Residential Tenancies Acts regulate the tenant-landlord relationship in the private rented residential sector. The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to facilitate the resolution of disputes between landlords and tenants.
The Act provides that landlords must apply to register the tenancy of a dwelling with the RTB within one month of the commencement of the tenancy. The RTB actively pursues landlords for non-registration. Failure to register tenancies can result in prosecution with fines of up to €4,000 and/or six months imprisonment.
There is no obligation on landlords or estate agents to advertise private rental properties, with many tenancies arising from referrals and other forms of communication.
In relation to supporting households secure a HAP tenancy, the Homeless HAP Place Finder Service is a targeted support for homeless households who are finding it difficult to secure HAP tenancies. The Place Finder Service will assist households in emergency accommodation primarily by providing access to deposits and advance rental payments.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. In general, I am satisfied with the operation of the scheme and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme outlined under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
