OPFA - rent house from a relative?

planetX

Hi all, hoping someone can answer my question. I receive one parent family payment, and also some maintenance. I rent privately, as rent is the same as deduction would be on rent allowance (due to maintenance), so not worth applying for. But my rent is taken into account when my OPFA is calculated, so I'm not deducted most of the maintenance.
Had a bad couple of years with landlord problems, cold houses etc. I have the opportunity to rent a property owned by a relative. This would be all above board - ie it would be real rent, at the going rate. But I've heard that SW won't accept this if it's a relative. We have the same (uncommon) last name, so it would be pretty obvious. I couldn't afford to rent, and not have that rent taken into account as an outgoing. Does anyone know if there would be a problem with this?
thanks...

Balagan

If the relative you wish to rent from is other than a parent, it may be acceptable.

Renting from a parent: You will not get Rent Supplement to help you pay rent to your parent if you are living in the family home. If your parent owns a second property, you will generally not get Rent Supplement to rent this property from them unless it is a bona fide tenancy and you are assessed as having a housing need. Your parent must also be able to prove that they have a history of renting this property.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/supplementary-welfare-schemes/rent_supplement