Online HAP Portal
Kildare County Council, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) section within the Housing Department, has initiated a new online Application Portal for citizens who are eligible for Social Housing and wish to apply for HAP.
We are delighted to launch the new online application process for HAP. This is only necessary for new applicants. Those who have already applied do not have to apply again. We believe that the new online portal will make the application process more efficient and easier for all.
HAP is a financial support to assist those who rent accommodation privately, who are eligible for social housing support.
The online portal went live on the 19th March 2024 for applicants in County Kildare. This will mean that any person who is entitled to Social Housing and wants to apply for HAP will be able to do so online.
An online application ensures that all necessary information is submitted at the time of the application including all necessary documentation. As a result, applications and documents will be dealt with in a timely and efficient manner.
Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a social housing support for those in need of long-term housing.
Applicants for HAP must be on their Local Authority’s Housing waiting list before they can complete the online application form – a valid Social Housing number is required for the application.
Please note the following advice in relation to HAP tenancies:
- Make sure you are on the Council’s housing list
- Make sure your family details are up to date
- If you are applying for a discretionary payment in respect of your monthly payment to the landlord you will also need to complete a revised rent form.
- The local authority cannot accept a discretionary payment until the LA is satisfied that we have up-to-date tenant income details.
- Please send us evidence of a change in financial circumstances by email to hap@kildarecoco.ie We request that any documents from Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection DEASP be scanned/photographed and sent to your local authority.
Am I eligible to apply?
Persons applying for HAP must be a qualified housing applicant(s) before they can apply. Click here for information on applying for council housing.
How it works?
If you qualify as an approved housing applicant, you must find your own privately rented accommodation (within certain rent limits). The landlord will be paid directly by the Local Authority and the tenant will pay rent to the local authority based on the differential rent scheme. The rent will be based on your weekly household income and works in the same way that the differential rents charged to local authority houses work.
For more information please refer to Tenant & Landlord documents in the supporting documents below.
How to Apply for HAP Online
- How to apply for HAP online (Tenant) – View Video Tutorial (Scroll Down Page after clicking link)
- Online HAP portal procedures for Landlords – View Video Tutorial (Scroll Down Page after clicking link)
- Documents a tenant needs before starting the online process – View Video Tutorial (Scroll Down Page after clicking link)
- Documents a landlord needs before starting the process online - View Video Tutorial (Scroll Down Page after clicking link)
- HAP Online Technical FAQs for Tenants
- HAP Online Technical FAQs for Landlords
Link to apply for HAP online - Apply Online - Housing Assistance Payments (hap.ie)
Make a Payment
- HAP App - download in Play Store (HAP Recipient ID No. and PIN required)
- Online at https://happayments.limerick.ie (HAP Recipient ID No. and PIN required)
- Phone 061-529654 (HAP Recipient ID No. and PIN required)
- HAP Billpay Card in any post office or POSTPOINT shop
If you require confirmation of PIN/HAP Recipient ID please contact:
HAP Shared Services Centre
Phone: +353 61 556600 (Option 1 – tenants) or hapcollections@limerick.ie
Click here to download more information about Accessing the HAP Scheme.
Contact Information
HAP Shared Services Centre
Phone: +353 61 556600
Option 1 for tenants
Option 2 for landlords
HAP Kildare
HAP General Queries: 045 980 818
HAP Online Tenant FAQ
How to register as a Tenant?
- Visit the Hap Online homepage Apply Online - Housing Assistance Payments (hap.ie), select to register as a new user
- Select the option “Tenant”
- Enter your name
- Email address
- Mobile phone number – ensure your mobile is turned on so you can receive the SMS text message with a verification code
- Enter a password
- Fill in the characters from the image and click on Register
Which File Formats are accepted?
You can upload your documents as PDF’s and/or image files. Please note all the required information must be clearly legible.
Is there a file size limit?
Yes, please keep in mind the size limit is 30Mb
Browser Recommendation
The HAP Online Portal is designed to work with most web browsers for PCs and MACs. We recommend the use of current versions of Chrome or Edge browsers in order to make sure our web pages display quickly, and that you have the latest security updates.
I need to correct information but I submitted my application already?
Please contact hap@kildarecoco.ie explaining your amendment and requesting that your submission is rejected so you can edit and submit it again
I submitted my application, whats next?
After you submit your complete application, your Landlord will be invited to register and submit their part. After your Landlord submits all their details and supporting documents, your Local Authority HAP team will examine your application for validation. The team will contact you during the processing stage.
I do not have a computer/can I still submit a physical application?
The HAP Portal is optimised for visualisation in a wide range of devices, such as mobile phone, tablet, laptop etc. This will speed up the HAP process and eliminate the need for paper forms. If you cannot complete the application online, please contact the HAP office in Kildare County Council
A applied for HAP recently but have not heard anything back. Do I need to apply again through the HAP Portal?
Online applications will only be necessary for new applicants. Those who have applications in progress or are already in HAP need not apply again. However, if you are an existing HAP tenant applying for HAP in a new property, you should use the online process for you and your landlord’s new application
HAP Online Landlord FAQ
How to register as a Landlord?
- Visit the Hap Online homepage Apply Online - Housing Assistance Payments (hap.ie), select to register as a new user
- Select the option “Landlord”
- Enter your name
- Email address – ensure it is the one provided by your tenant
- Mobile phone number – ensure your mobile is turned on so you can receive the SMS text message with a verification code
- Enter a password
- Fill in the characters from the image and click on Register
I registered but I can't see my Tenants details?
Please contact your tenant and confirm the landlord email provided by them on their application to ensure it matches your actual email.
I am an Agent and the Landlord does not want to disclose their personal details
The Landlord(s) must register on the HAP Portal and nominate an agent, otherwise they must authorise the agents to register on their behalf using their personal information. Applications where Landlords are registered with Agent’s details will not be accepted.
Which file formats are accepted?
You can upload your documents as PDF’s and/or image files. Please note all the required information must be clearly legible.
Is there a file size limit?
Yes, please keep in mind the size limit is 30Mb
Browser Recommendation
The HAP Online Portal is designed to work with most web browsers for PCs and MACs. We recommend the use of current versions of Chrome or Edge browsers in order to make sure our web pages display quickly, and that you have the latest security updates.
Am I in a rent pressure zone? How do I get a rent Pressure zone calculator?
Visitthe website Rent Pressure Zone Calculator to discover if you are in a rent pressure zone and to create your calculation. You must submit this even for a first time let.
What are the accepted proofs of owndership?
Currently these are the main 5 proofs of ownership documents accepted by HAP:
- RTB Letter
- Current Insurance Policy
- Local Property Tax - if Landlord is non Resident in Ireland, this is a mandatory proof of ownership document
- Mortgage Statement dated within 12 months
- Folio or Title Deed
All of these documents must state the exact address of the property to be HAP’d, the owner’s name matching the declared Landlord details and be in date.Please refer to the explanatory video.
How do I print my Local Property Tax Statement?
Please visit LPT (revenue.ie) Please refer to the explanatory video tutorial