Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 198C

Determination of claims for rent supplement under section 198

Section 198C empowers designated officers to request tenancy information from landlords when determining a claimant's entitlement to rent supplement.

• Designated officers may require landlords to provide written confirmation of tenancy details, including that the claimant is a legitimate tenant entitled to pay rent under the lease.
• The landlord must confirm whether other persons also pay rent under the same tenancy, specify the lease duration, and verify the claimant's residence throughout the supplement payment period.
• Requests must be sent in writing to the landlord by name—either delivered personally, left at their usual or service address, or sent by prepaid registered post.
• A landlord who fails to comply with a valid request within the prescribed timeframe commits a criminal offence.