Watchdog concerned over payment of finders’ fees for HAP

The regulator for property services providers has said it has serious concerns about the payment of finders’ fees to agents who source private rental properties through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme.

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) has offered to pay estate agents when they make suitable properties exclusively available to homeless families and do not advertise them elsewhere. After five properties have been secured in this manner, a payment of €500 ...