Courts / Ireland / Report

Landlord who refused to sign HAP papers must pay €10k for discrimination

Summary

A landlord who refused to sign a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) form for a tenant was ordered to pay €10,000 in compensation for discrimination under the Equal Status Act. The tenant, a refugee, claimed the landlord's refusal left her in a sub‑standard flat with damp and a leaking roof, preventing her from receiving the higher HAP scheme. She had repeatedly asked the landlord to accept the form, but he declined, citing the flat's condition and concerns about future rent payments. The landlord also threatened eviction notices and suggested the tenant move to a neighbouring flat for renovations. The adjudicating officer found the tenant's evidence credible, noted the landlord's ongoing refusal amounted to less‑favourable treatment, and upheld the discrimination complaint as serious. The order included compensation for loss of earnings and the difference in the tenant's rent contribution. The press was barred from identifying the parties.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Landlord who refused to sign HAP papers must pay €10k for discrimination. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• June 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• December 2018 Other
• October 2019 Other
• September 2019 Other
• March 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 2019 Other
• 2022-10-20 Publication

Why: The landlord had left the woman "stuck in a poverty trap in sub-standard accommodation" because of his refusal to complete the papers, the official wrote. CNI source report

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report