The Workplace Relations Commission ordered landlord Seán O’Riordan to pay Daniel O’Brien €7,500 after finding he discriminated against him by refusing to accept a tenancy under the Housing Assistance Payment scheme. The decision was dated 21 August 2024.
O’Brien rented a room in a shared house in Wilton, Cork. He said O’Riordan repeatedly failed to complete the landlord’s section of HAP paperwork, despite requests and a letter from housing charity Threshold explaining his obligations. O’Brien said he paid €550 a month in rent and €140 a week from a €220 weekly social welfare payment.
O’Riordan did not appear at the hearing. The adjudicator accepted O’Brien’s evidence and found the refusal to accept a HAP tenancy breached the Equal Status Act. The WRC said the refusal caused hardship and led O’Brien to seek other accommodation, and directed payment of €7,500 for the discrimination.