WRC dismisses landlord HAP discrimination complaint

The Workplace Relations Commission dismissed Ashley Fanton’s complaint that her landlord, Philomena Ceci Droney-Breslin, discriminated against her by not signing Housing Assistance Payment forms. Adjudication Officer Hugh Lonsdale said the landlord had served a termination notice after Fanton was added to the tenancy and before she sent the forms. Fanton said her income fell after her working hours were reduced and that the landlord did not respond to a HAP form she sent on 12 August 2023. The respondent relied on termination notices dated 2 February and 5 July 2023, saying the tenants were overholding the property. The decision was dated 13 May 2024. Lonsdale found it was unrealistic to expect the landlord to sign the forms after a legitimate termination notice had been served. He found no discrimination in relation to Housing Assistance, so the complaint was not well founded.