The Workplace Relations Commission found that landlord Frank McEvoy discriminated against Karen Duffy on the housing assistance ground and awarded her €500. The decision was dated 16 March 2023.
Duffy viewed a rental property in North Dublin in June 2021. She said discussions ended after she told McEvoy she was a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) tenant. McEvoy denied discrimination, saying the viewing was only one stage in selecting a tenant and that he wanted a one-year lease because his family might need the property. He also raised regulatory and Revenue concerns.
The adjudicator concluded that Duffy’s HAP status hindered her application from progressing. Under the Equal Status Act, housing assistance is a protected ground; the WRC found discrimination had taken place. It awarded compensation for the effects of that discrimination, saying the conduct was not egregious and that the modest award reflected this.