What is the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) in Ireland?

RAS is a long-term housing arrangement where your local authority enters into a direct contract with your private landlord to rent your property for 3 to 10 years. You pay differential rent to the local authority (based on your income), and the local authority pays the landlord a fixed agreed rent. RAS is aimed mainly at people who have been on Rent Supplement for 18 months or more. Unlike Rent Supplement, there is no working hours restriction under RAS.

Who qualifies for RAS in Ireland in 2026?

You may qualify for RAS if you: have been receiving Rent Supplement for 18 months or more; are assessed as having a long-term housing need by your local authority; are on the social housing waiting list; have a landlord who is willing to enter into a RAS contract with the local authority; and your accommodation is suitable and meets the required standards. Your local authority will contact you about RAS if you meet the criteria.

What is the difference between RAS and HAP?

RAS: the local authority contracts directly with your landlord for a fixed period (3-10 years), giving you security of tenure in the same property. HAP: you find the property and the local authority pays the landlord monthly — no fixed lease period, you can move. Both allow full-time work. RAS is better if you want to stay in your current rented home long-term. HAP is better if you want flexibility to move.

Can I work full-time while on RAS?

Yes. RAS has no working hours restriction. You can work full-time and remain on RAS. Your differential rent contribution to the local authority will be reassessed based on your income — if your income increases, your contribution increases. This is the same as HAP and is the key practical advantage over Rent Supplement, which limits you to 30 hours of work per week.

Does the RAS transfer affect my position on the social housing waiting list?

When you transfer from Rent Supplement to RAS, you are included on the social housing waiting list. Your waiting time on Rent Supplement may be recognised. While on RAS, you remain on the list and can still be offered local authority housing. If you are offered and accept a local authority home, your RAS tenancy ends. RAS is considered a form of social housing support, not a permanent allocation.

What happens when the RAS contract ends?

At the end of the RAS contract period (3, 5 or up to 10 years), your local authority will review the arrangement. They may: renew the contract if the landlord agrees and you still have a housing need; offer you alternative social housing; move you to HAP. The landlord is not obligated to renew but cannot terminate the tenancy during the contract period. Your tenancy rights as a tenant (RTB protections) still apply throughout the RAS period.

How do I apply for RAS?

You do not apply for RAS directly in most cases. Your local authority will identify you as a candidate based on your Rent Supplement duration (usually 18+ months). They will contact you and your landlord to discuss participation. If your landlord agrees, the local authority arranges an inspection, negotiates a fixed rent with the landlord, and sets up the contract. You then pay differential rent to the local authority instead of Rent Supplement contributions to your landlord.

What happens if my landlord refuses to join RAS?

Your landlord cannot be compelled to enter into a RAS contract. If your landlord declines, your local authority will typically advise you to apply for HAP instead — which you can use with a different property. HAP has similar benefits to RAS (no work restriction, local authority pays landlord) and gives you flexibility to find a new property.

What are my rights as a RAS tenant?

As a RAS tenant you have the same rights as any private tenant under the Residential Tenancies Acts (RTB protections). You can refer disputes to the RTB. You are entitled to a written tenancy agreement and the landlord must follow proper notice procedures. Because the local authority has a direct contract with the landlord, you benefit from an additional layer of stability — the landlord cannot simply terminate to remove you without dealing with the local authority.

Can immigrants get RAS in Ireland?

Yes. Immigrants who are on Rent Supplement and meet the qualifying criteria for RAS (18+ months on RS, on housing list, Habitual Residence Condition met) can transfer to RAS. Stamp 4 holders, EU/EEA citizens with habitual residency, refugees and those with subsidiary protection who are already on Rent Supplement may be approached by their local authority about a RAS transfer.

RAS Ireland 2026 — Long-term housing for Rent Supplement recipients

Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) in Ireland 2026

The Rental Accommodation Scheme is a long-term social housing arrangement for people who have been on Rent Supplement for 18 months or more. Your local authority contracts directly with your landlord for 3–10 years. You pay differential rent based on your income. No working hours restriction. You stay in your current home with greater security. This guide covers how RAS works, who qualifies, landlord and tenant rights, and how it compares to HAP.

Reading time: 6 minutesLast updated: June 22, 2026

RAS 2026 — Quick facts

Contract period: 3 to 10 years
Work restriction: None — full-time work OK
Who qualifies: Rent Supplement 18+ months
Rent paid by: Local authority pays landlord
Tenant pays: Differential rent to local authority
Housing list: Included while on RAS

How RAS works — step by step

Local authority identifies you
After you have been on Rent Supplement for 18+ months, your local authority (not DSP) will assess whether RAS is suitable for you. They will contact you to discuss the option.
Property inspection
Your local authority inspects the rental property to ensure it meets the required standards. If it does not meet standards, repairs must be agreed with the landlord before the contract can proceed.
Landlord agreement
Your local authority negotiates a fixed rent with your landlord and a contract period (typically 4–7 years). The landlord receives guaranteed rent directly from the local authority throughout the contract period.
Differential rent assessment
Your local authority assesses your household income and calculates your differential rent contribution. This replaces your Rent Supplement and your Rent Supplement ceases. You pay the local authority directly.
Housing list registration
You are included on the social housing waiting list. If local authority housing becomes available that meets your needs, you may be offered it.

RAS vs HAP vs Rent Supplement

Feature	RAS	HAP	Rent Supplement
Security of tenure	High (3–10 yr contract)	Medium (ongoing, can change)	Low (short-term)
Work restriction	None	None	Max 30 hours/week
Can you stay in same property?	Yes — that is the point of RAS	Yes but no fixed period	Yes but landlord can exit
Flexibility to move	Low (contract is fixed address)	High (can apply for HAP at new address)	Medium
On housing list	Yes	Yes	Not automatic
Landlord guarantee	Fixed rent for contract period	Monthly (no fixed period)	Short-term only
Status in 2026	Active but limited new places	Active — main scheme	Being phased out

Tenant rights under RAS

As a RAS tenant you have full protection under the Residential Tenancies Acts, administered by the RTB. Your specific protections include:

Written tenancy agreement with clearly stated terms
Landlord cannot terminate during the RAS contract period without the local authority’s agreement
All standard RTB notice period protections apply
You can refer disputes to the RTB (rent disputes, landlord behaviour, etc.)
Landlord must maintain the property and carry out repairs
Your position on the social housing list is protected and continues to build

Landlord benefits of RAS

Benefit	Detail
Guaranteed rent	Local authority pays full rent every month throughout the contract, regardless of tenant’s payment history
Long-term tenancy	No void periods during the contract — guaranteed occupancy for 3–10 years
Property management	Local authority handles any tenant contribution issues — landlord deals only with the LA, not the tenant directly for rent
End of contract	Property returned to landlord in agreed condition at contract end

Frequently asked questions

Common misunderstandings about RAS

RAS is not an automatic transfer — your landlord must agree. If they don’t, you can apply for HAP instead.
You do not apply for RAS directly — your local authority contacts you. If you have been on Rent Supplement for 18+ months and have not been contacted, call your local authority housing department.
RAS does not give you ownership of the property — you remain a tenant throughout the contract period.
Being on RAS keeps you on the social housing list — you can still be offered a local authority home.
Your RTB rights are fully protected during RAS — the landlord cannot terminate outside the allowed grounds.

Official sources

This page was reviewed against official Gov.ie, Housing Agency and Citizens Information guidance. RAS 2026: local authority contracts with landlord for 3–10 years, no work restriction, for Rent Supplement recipients 18+ months.

Information Accuracy — This guide has been independently researched and reviewed using official Irish government sources available on the publication date. Government schemes, payment rates, eligibility rules and legislation may change over time. Before making financial, legal or welfare decisions, always confirm the latest information directly with the relevant Irish authority.

Reviewed by

Vitor Alves

Founder of D’Emilia Accounting

Founder of D’Emilia Accounting, helping immigrants navigate Irish tax and benefits.

Last reviewed: June 22, 2026 · About this site