We’re sure many of you out there have suffered the frustration of finding the perfect rental property, only to be refused consideration on grounds of a refusal to accept rent allowance.
Well, no longer will those availing of rent supplement be discriminated against, thanks to new provisions under equality laws in the Republic of Ireland.
According to the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC), which launched an information campaign this week, any landlord refusing to accept rent allowance from a prospective tenant is now breaking the law and will be punished accordingly.
Any tenant being discriminated against can bring their case to the Workplace Relations Commission, where landlords found in breach of the new laws will face a maximum fine of €15,000.
Confirming this landmark reform today, Chief Commissioner of the IHRC, Emily Logan, said: “People in receipt of either rent supplement, housing assistance payment, or other social welfare payments can no longer be discriminated against in relation to the provision of accommodation or related services.”
She added that, where certain property ads and websites state that they do not accept rent allowance, this is now illegal.
