Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)
Your local authority pays your private landlord's rent each month, up to a limit for your area. You pay a weekly contribution based on your household income.
Last checked October 2026
What it is
If you rent privately and qualify for social housing support, your council pays the rent to your landlord and you pay a small weekly amount based on your income.
Who can get it
- You are approved for social housing support by your local authority or you are already on its housing list and not in a form of social housing.
- You pass the income test for social housing. It uses your household's net income, after tax, USC and PRSI, averaged over the previous 12 months and the limit depends on your council area.
- You rent privately and find the home yourself. The rent should be within the HAP limit for your area and household size and your landlord must agree to rent to a HAP tenant. The council must also be satisfied that the tenancy is a genuine one.
- Rent limits apply. If the rent you agree is above the limit, you pay the difference directly to your landlord. Councils have limited flexibility to go above the limits and they cannot give HAP where you could not afford the rent being asked.
- Your weekly contribution is set by your income and worked out the same way as rent for a council tenant. If you do not pay it, HAP to your landlord is suspended and in the end stopped and you are responsible for the full rent.
- Apply after you have found a home. The council pays only once it has valid forms from you and your landlord. If you move in before then, you pay the rent due yourself.
- Under HAP the council does not pay your deposit. The Additional Needs Payment from the Department of Social Protection may help, but it is not automatic. Homeless HAP is different. If your council decides you are homeless and need extra support, its Place Finder service may pay the deposit and rent in advance.
- HAP rules you out of the Rent Tax Credit. That stays true even if you also pay a top-up to your landlord.
- Working full time does not rule you out. HAP allows you to work full time while still getting housing support. Your weekly contribution may change if your income changes.
How to apply
If you are not yet approved for social housing support, fill in the application form from your local authority first. Once you are approved or if you are already on the housing list, find a private rental home and apply online for HAP as soon as you agree the tenancy. Your landlord completes an online form too. Only apply after you have found the home.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 7 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
How much will I pay on HAP?
You pay a weekly rent contribution to your local authority. It is based on your household income and worked out the same way as rent for a tenant of a council-owned home. The council pays the rest of the rent to your landlord each month, up to the HAP limit.
How do I apply for HAP?
If you are not yet approved, fill in a social housing support application form from your local authority first. Once you are approved or if you are already on the housing list, find a home and apply online for HAP as soon as you agree the tenancy. Your landlord also completes an online form.
What if my rent is above the HAP limit?
You pay the difference directly to your landlord. Councils have limited flexibility to go above the limits in some cases, but they cannot provide HAP where you could not afford the rent being asked.
Does the council pay my deposit?
No. Under HAP you pay the deposit yourself. You can apply for the Additional Needs Payment through the Department of Social Protection to help with a rent deposit, but there is no automatic entitlement to it. Homeless HAP is different. If your council decides you are homeless and need extra support, its Place Finder service may pay the deposit.
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