Renting in Ireland: A Guide to Government Housing Supports

Renting in Ireland can be expensive, but there are a number of government supports and schemes that may help with the cost of renting or accessing suitable accommodation.

From the Rent Tax Credit to HAP and Cost Rental, understanding what support may be available can make navigating the rental market a little easier.

Here are some of the main housing supports renters in Ireland should know about.

Rent Tax Credit
The Rent Tax Credit provides tax relief for qualifying people paying for private rented accommodation.

The credit can be worth up to €1,000 per person per year, or up to €2,000 for jointly assessed couples, depending on individual circumstances and eligibility.

The credit is claimed through Revenue.

You generally need to be paying income tax to benefit from the credit. Eligibility restrictions also apply, including where certain housing supports such as HAP, RAS or Rent Supplement are being received.

Always check the latest Revenue guidance before making a claim, as eligibility requirements and credit amounts can change.

 Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is an ongoing housing support for qualifying households with a housing need.

Under HAP, your local authority makes a payment directly to your landlord and you make a weekly contribution based on your income. You are generally responsible for finding your own private rental accommodation.

People who are working may still qualify for HAP, depending on their circumstances and the applicable eligibility criteria.

Eligibility and payment limits can vary, so your local authority should be your first point of contact for information relating to your circumstances.

Rent Supplement can help with the cost of rent during periods of financial difficulty and is designed for certain temporary situations or transitions.

Eligibility depends on your income and circumstances and is assessed by the Department of Social Protection.

The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is a longer-term housing support involving local authorities and private rented accommodation.

Under the scheme, the local authority secures private rental accommodation. The tenant pays rent based on their income, while the landlord is paid by the local authority.

RAS is typically associated with longer-term Rent Supplement cases or households with an ongoing housing need.

Cost Rental

Cost Rental provides rental homes where rents are set based on the cost of providing and maintaining the accommodation rather than solely on market rental levels.

It is aimed at middle-income households, with income limits and other eligibility criteria applying. Households receiving HAP or Rent Supplement are not eligible under the information outlined in our guide.

Individual Cost Rental developments can have their own application processes, so always check the requirements attached to the particular property.

Social housing is provided by local authorities or approved housing bodies.

Rent is generally based on household income, while allocation depends on assessed housing need and the availability of suitable accommodation.

Choice Based Lettings (CBL) allows approved social housing applicants to apply for available social housing properties advertised through the relevant system.

Applicants can apply before the stated closing date, with homes offered according to housing priorities such as need, household size and time on the housing list. Final offers remain subject to the local authority's standard checks.

Choice Based Lettings systems and processes may vary between local authorities, so applicants should check the system operated in their area.

Housing supports can depend on your income, household circumstances, location and housing need.

For the most accurate and current information, check directly with your local authority, Citizens Information, Revenue or the Department of Social Protection, depending on the support you are considering.

Rules, income thresholds, payment amounts and eligibility requirements can change, so it is important to check official information before applying.

Understanding the supports available is only one part of navigating the Irish rental market.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Housing supports, eligibility criteria and payment amounts may change and vary depending on individual circumstances. Always check the relevant government department, local authority or other official source for the most up-to-date information. DwellX accepts no liability for decisions made or losses arising from reliance on the information provided.

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