Local Authority Home Loan

What is the Local Authority Home Loan?

A Local Authority Home Loan is a Government backed mortgage for first time buyers and fresh start applicants. It’s available nationwide from your local authority. It can be used to purchase a new or second-hand property or for self-build.

How do I know if I am eligible?

You must be a first-time buyer or a fresh start applicant in employment for two years continuously. The income limit for a single applicant is €80,000 and €85,000 for joint applicants. You must provide proof of insufficient mortgage offers of finance from two regulated financial providers.

The property must be within the maximum eligible property prices.

Tenant in Situ Schemes

A tenant in situ scheme allows you to continue to rent your home, if your landlord is selling the rental property. This is because either your local authority or the Housing Agency steps in and buys the property from your landlord, and then continues to rent the property to you.

There are 2 Tenant in Situ Schemes:

The Cost Rental Tenant in Situ Scheme - the Housing Agency buys the rental property from your private landlord and you continue to rent the property from the Housing Agency.

The Local Authority Tenant in Situ Scheme - your local authority buys the rental property from your landlord and you continue to rent the property from your local authority. This scheme is for people renting in the private rented market who are getting the Housing Assistance Payment or are on the Rental Accommodation Scheme.

To access either of these schemes you must have received a valid notice of termination and be at risk homelessness because your landlord is selling the rental property. For more information contact your local authority housing officer.

First Home Scheme

This scheme bridges the gap between your deposit plus mortgage and the purchase price. For example, if you can raise €277,000 toward a €320,000 home, the scheme can provide the €43,000 shortfall.

How do I know if I am eligible?

You must be a first-time buyer (or qualify under the Fresh Start Principle). The home must be a new build and under local price caps. The Help to Buy Scheme can be used alongside it.

Second Hand Homes: In limited cases, the scheme also helps renters buy the home they live in if their landlord is selling and they can’t secure enough financing.

Local Authority Affordable Purchase Homes

Under the Affordable Purchase Scheme local authorities make newly built homes available at a reduced price for first-time and other eligible buyers who cannot afford to purchase a home at its open market value with a maximum mortgage and 10% deposit.

Each scheme will differ but essentially the aim is that the homes sold under the scheme will be at least 15% cheaper to buy than the local market rate with the Local Authority taking a stake in the home.

To qualify, your purchasing power (4 × your gross annual income) must be less than 85.5% of the home’s market value or you must show proof from a lender that you can’t get a mortgage covering 85.5% of the home’s value (for example, due to age or lending limits)

Cost Rental

In Fianna Fáil, we want to help middle income earners secure affordable, long term rental properties. Cost rental homes deliver that. They are secure, long term affordable rental homes with rents typically set 25% below market rates with 40 year security of tenure.

To quality your net household income must be below €66,000 NET in Dublin or below €59,000 NET (approx. €88,000 gross) anywhere else in Ireland. You cannot be receiving social housing supports (e.g. HAP or Rent Supplement). Cost rental schemes are advertising by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) and The Land Development Agency (LDA).

Local Authority Purchase
and Renovation Loan

A government-backed mortgage + renovation loan to help people buy and fix up vacant or derelict homes. You must qualify for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant but have been refused enough funding by banks/credit unions

How the loan works: Two parts:

• Fixed-rate mortgage for buying the home

• Variable bridging loan to cover the refurbishment grant amount

• Repaid once the grant is paid out

• Interest-only, short term (up to 2 years)

Project types & borrowing limits

• Vacant + minor works: 90% purchase / 90% renovation

• Vacant + major works: 85% purchase / 90% renovation

• Derelict (with derelict grant): 80% purchase / 90% renovation

Key eligibility rules:

First time buyer or fresh start principal buyer, using home as principal residence. Earn under €80k (single) or €85k (joint) To apply, contact your local authority homes office. The estimated value of your home at the end of the renovation works cannot be above the current LAHL price limit.

Rent Supports

Rent support for Victims of Domestic Violence

If you are a victim of domestic violence you will be able to apply for Rent Supplement on referral by Tusla or by Tusla-funded service providers. Rent Supplement will be provided for an initial three months and will not require a means test. You will pay a minimum contribution towards your rent, regardless of your means, for this period. Rent Supplement can be extended for a further 3 months, subject to a means test.

Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)

Under HAP, local authorities can provide housing assistance to households with a long-term housing need, including many long-term Rent Supplement recipients. This ‘rent contribution’ is based on the household income. Tenants in receipt of HAP can work full-time. HAP tenants must find their own accommodation in the private rented market.

How do I know if I am eligible?

You must first apply for and be approved for social housing support by your local authority. If your household is already on your local authority’s housing list, you will be eligible for HAP. If you are on your local authority’s housing list and currently in receipt of Rent Supplement, you will be eligible for HAP. In general, the rent must be within the prescribed HAP rent limits for your household size and the area you live in. However, flexibility of up to 35% may be provided, on a case-by-case basis.

Vacant ‘Above the shop’ Grant

In early 2026, this extended grant aims to bring underutilised space above existing commercial premises into use as homes, while recognising the complexities involved.

A grant of up to €95,000 will be provided where one residential unit is being created, with an additional of up to €20,000 where two residential units are being created and a further €20,000 where three or more residential units are being created.

Furthermore, up to €5,000 will also be made available towards expert advice on conversion of these properties for residential use.

This will bring the total grant package available towards the refurbishment of these properties up to €140,000.

Vacant and Derelict Property Refurbishment Grant

Aiming to tackle vacancy and dereliction and bring existing stock back into use, this scheme is open to properties built up to 2007 that have proof of vacancy for 2 years. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties including the conversion of a property which has not been used as residential heretofore, subject to appropriate planning permission being in place and of up to €70,000 where the property is derelict, i.e. structurally unsound and dangerous.

How do I know if I am eligible?

Properties must be vacant for two years or more and built before 2007. Proof of both vacancy and ownership will be required to support the grant payment.

SEAI grants may be available in addition for energy upgrades.

Fresh Start Principle

The Fresh Start Principle means that people who are divorced or separated or those who have undergone insolvency and have no interest in a family home, will be eligible for State affordable housing and loan schemes.

Rent Tax Credit

This reduces the amount of Income Tax payable for a tax year. You must have an Income Tax liability to offset against it. If you are a tenant, you can claim up to €1,000 per year for a single person or €2,000 for a jointly assessed couple. It applies to private rental accommodation, including “digs” for students