34. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Part 4 of the Act of 2014 a household shall not be deemed to be qualified for housing assistance in respect of a cost rental dwelling, and for the avoidance of doubt—

(a) a housing authority shall not provide housing assistance in respect of a cost rental dwelling, and

(b) a landlord shall not receive the payment of housing assistance in respect of a cost rental dwelling,

unless at least one member of the household for which housing assistance is sought has been party to a current tenancy agreement in respect of that cost rental dwelling for a continuous period of more than 6 months.

(2) The payment or receipt of housing assistance contrary to subsection (1) shall not of itself affect the validity the cost rental tenancy concerned.

(3) Compliance with subsection (1) shall not constitute discrimination in the provision of accommodation within the meaning of section 6 of the Equal Status Act 2000.