Navigating Changes to the ARP

1. Continue hosting, regardless of changes to ARP

‘Hosting existed before the ARP and it will continue afterwards’

This quote from one of our recent Online Host Drop-ins summarises our belief about the core of hosting in Ireland. We are privileged to serve a community that remains primarily motivated by solidarity (Host Survey results here) and we also know that while the war continues and Ukrainians need support, people will continue to open their homes. 

That said, we know that anyone who can afford to host without any sort of financial recognition is part of a privileged minority. We continue to advocate for the extension of the ARP as a support to those hosting Ukrainians and the widening of it to support other refugee cohorts.  

Note: If you’re currently hosting, or open to hosting, refugees of other nationalities and would like to join our campaign to extend the ARP, please fill in this form.

Practical Considerations

• You should have a license agreement or home sharing agreement in place. 

• This agreement should be time limited, with an agreed end date and timelines for reviewing how the agreement is working.

• It is now common practice to ask guests for contributions to utility bills in shared living arrangements. We recommend that for self-contained arrangements, utilities are placed in the guest’s name and/or they have access to bills and meter readings. 

• See our webpages on How to Host for information and considerations when you are setting up or reviewing your hosting arrangement. Get in touch for additional support. 

2. Continue Hosting under ARP but with an additional ‘Top-Up’ payment

Now that a reuction to ARP has been announced, many hosts may consider additional “top up” contributions from their guest, beyond utilities. While this might feel like an obvious and practical solution, there are some important considerations to take into account before making any such arrangement. 

The legislation on ARP states that ARP is not payable if a rental agreement is in place. There are no set parameters as to what might be considered rent versus a “top up”. An additional financial contribution from their guest, beyond utilities, may be considered a rental agreement, regardless of whether this was intentional on the part of the host or not.  

There are differences in terms of the type of rental agreement that could be established, and this depends on whether the hosting arrangement is in a shared or self-contained property.

In the case of self-contained arrangements, a significant financial contribution by the guest may constitute a tenancy and require the host to register with the RTB. See our ARP guide here for a more in-depth explanation of the implications of top-up payments. 

Practical Considerations

• Consider what is a fair amount of money - this will vary based on your individual situation and your guests' circumstances.

• If you are considering accepting a top-up payment then be sure to read our guide on ARP and contact the ARP Helpline to discuss the specifics of your arrangement.

• If your guests are in a self-contained property, also contact the RTB for advice on your specific arrangement.

• Check with Revenue and/or Intreo to determine whether there are tax implications or impacts to your social welfare entitlements.

• Make sure that any agreement is discussed openly with everyone involved, is put in writing and has a clear end date.