Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022
314. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is any provision in the HAP legislation to allow a single HAP claim to be split and paid to two separate bank accounts in cases in which the rented property is owned by two separate individuals. [24621/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented sector and the tenancy agreement is between the HAP recipient and their private landlord. The local authority does not have a role in the tenancy.
The HAP application form comes in two parts: Section A to be completed by the applicant tenant and Section B to be completed by the landlord or agent. An application for HAP will only be accepted by the local authority when both Section A and Section B are completed, signed and returned along with the required supporting documentation. Once a HAP application has been received and confirmed as valid by the relevant local authority, it is then processed by the HAP Shared Service Centre (SSC) in Limerick. The HAP SSC manages all HAP-related rent transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. It sets up the HAP payment account.
A FAQ document was developed to assist landlords with the completion of the application form. This is shared on local authority websites or issued with the application form. This document states that HAP payments can only be paid into one nominated bank account for each landlord or agent for all HAP properties.
The HAP SSC must file a return with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners each year. Revenue regulations stipulate that the HAP SSC can only make a payment to one nominated bank account.
