Guides
Longer reads built on the scheme data on this site and the providers’ own rules. Two to four a month, no filler.
26 October 2026
Local Authority Home Loan: who qualifies, how much you can borrow and how to apply
The council mortgage for first-time buyers the banks turn down: €80,000 single income limit, price caps by county from 1 April 2026, the 4.00% fixed rate, repayments, the two refusals and the 3% savings rule.
26 October 2026
Rent to buy in Ireland: what exists, what does not, and the State routes for renters
There is no Government rent to buy scheme. What private rent-to-own firms offer and what to ask before signing, the council Tenant Purchase Scheme, and the routes for renters whose landlord is selling.
6 October 2026
First Home Scheme: up to 30% of the price as shared equity, and what it costs later
Who qualifies, the price ceiling for every local authority area, 20% with Help to Buy, the service charge from year six and how to buy the share back. Budget 2027 left it unchanged.
6 October 2026
Help to Buy scheme: the €35,000 tax refund towards a new-build deposit
Who qualifies, the lesser-of-three rule, the myAccount application in three stages, and how it combines with a council starter home or the First Home Scheme. Budget 2027 raised the cap from €30,000.
24 September 2026
Affordable homes in Dublin by council: Fingal, Dublin City, South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
What each Dublin council sells now, where it announces, and who gets priority: first come, first served, with up to 30% held for local residents.
24 September 2026
Social housing income limits by council, and what to do if you earn too much
The €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 bands by council, the limit for your household size, how to apply, and the cost rental route when you are over.
22 September 2026
Affordable housing schemes in Ireland: the six routes and who qualifies for each
Cost rental, Starter Home Purchase (affordable purchase), First Home Scheme, Help to Buy, Local Authority Home Loan and Cost Rental Tenant in Situ side by side: income rules, deposits, equity shares, where each is advertised.
8 September 2026
Tenant in situ schemes: when your landlord is selling, who can buy the house so you stay
The council scheme for HAP and RAS tenants and the Cost Rental Tenant in Situ scheme for everyone under the €66,000 / €59,000 limits. Who qualifies, the housing officer appointment, what happens to the rent, and the 2023 to 2025 numbers.
8 September 2026
How cost rental works: the 40-year rent, inflation-only increases and who can end the tenancy
The rules from the Affordable Housing Act 2021: how the rent is calculated, HICP-only increases, the four eviction grounds that do not apply, income changes, HAP after six months, and 6,141 homes by provider to end 2025.
8 September 2026
Cost rental rents in Ireland: what a 1, 2 and 3-bed actually costs
Rents from every scheme advertised this year, the net income each one needs under the 35% rule, and how they compare with RTB market rents.
8 September 2026
Affordable purchase: how the price, the equity share and the 40-year buy-back work
Four times income, the 85.5% test, the €30,000 savings buffer. Three worked examples from live schemes and the income ceiling for each home.
8 September 2026
Who provides cost rental in Ireland, and how each one takes applications
LDA, Tuath, Clúid, Respond and the councils side by side: where you apply, when documents are due, how long windows stay open, how the draw works.