Property company refused to complete HAP application

A property management firm was penalized by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for discriminating against a woman who was denied the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) due to their refusal to complete the application. The woman, who had been receiving HAP since 2018, was compelled to vacate her home with her children in March 2025 and sought refuge with a women's support service.

Upon returning to her home, the local authority had terminated her HAP, requiring her to reapply. Despite her repeated requests, the property management company declined to finalize the necessary HAP form, citing the property's numerous issues as the reason. The WRC found this refusal to be a clear breach of the Equal Status Acts, awarding the victim €14,750 in compensation and ordering the company to promptly complete her HAP application.

The WRC Adjudication Officer described the situation as one of extreme gravity, emphasizing that HAP recipients are particularly vulnerable and that refusing to support them can lead to severe financial and personal consequences. Ireland's Human Rights and Equality Commission highlighted the case's importance in demonstrating the human impact of such discrimination and encouraging those facing similar issues not to remain silent.