IrelandCan a landlord refuse to rent to me because of my race or disability?
No, a landlord cannot refuse to rent to you solely because you receive the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) — this is unlawful discrimination under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004.
What the Law Says
The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 prohibits landlords from discriminating against prospective tenants based on their source of income — including receipt of Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
Section 12 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 makes it unlawful for a landlord to refuse to let a dwelling to a person because that person receives housing assistance under any scheme operated by a local authority or the Minister for Housing.
This means if you qualify for HAP and meet standard tenancy requirements (e.g., ability to pay rent, good rental history), a landlord cannot lawfully turn you down just because your rent will be partly paid by the local authority via HAP.
The law applies to all private rented dwellings covered by the Act — including houses, apartments, and rooms — and covers both initial letting and renewals.
Statutory TextA landlord shall not refuse to let a dwelling to a person on the ground that the person receives housing assistance under any scheme operated by a local authority or the Minister for Housing.
— Residential Tenancies Act 2004, s. 12
What to Do
Keep written evidence of the landlord’s refusal (e.g., email, text, or note of conversation stating HAP as the reason).
Contact your local Citizens Information Centre or Threshold (the housing charity) for free advice and support.
File a complaint with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) using Form R10 — there is no fee.
If the RTB finds discrimination occurred, it can order the landlord to pay compensation (up to €15,000) and/or issue a direction to offer the tenancy.
Sources
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
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European UnionNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.