Net household income under €66,000 (Dublin) or €59,000 (elsewhere), and the rent under 35% of that. Use the calculator. Also: nobody in the household owns property or gets HAP or social housing support, and everyone lives in Ireland.
How to apply for cost rental
Ten steps, from checking your income to getting keys. The whole thing lives or dies on being ready before a scheme opens, because the window between announcement and closing can be a few days and the document deadline after a lottery win can be 72 hours.
- 1
Check the two numbers
- 2
Build the documents folder now
Not when a scheme opens. Every adult: ID, proof of address, Employment Detail Summary, Statement of Liability, payslips, bank statements, employer letter, landlord reference. The checklist says where each one comes from.
- 3
Watch for schemes in your county
There is no waiting list and no central application. Each development is advertised separately on the Housing Agency portal and the provider’s site with an opening date and time. Set an alert and we email you when one appears.
- 4
Register with the provider in advance where possible
The LDA, Tuath and Clúid let you create an account on their portals before a scheme opens, which saves minutes at the opening time. Councils use Submit.com and usually need a fresh registration per scheme.
- 5
Be there at the opening minute
Windows are short. Some providers close as soon as they have several times more applications than homes, sometimes within hours. Others stay open for the advertised days. Apply early either way.
- 6
One application, correct home size
One application per household per scheme, for a size that matches your household (1-bed for singles and couples, 2-bed with one child, and so on). Duplicates and wrong sizes are rejected without appeal.
- 7
The lottery
If eligible applications outnumber homes, a lottery is drawn and witnessed independently. For affordable purchase it is instead date-and-time order with household-size priority. You are told by email whether you were drawn, waitlisted or unsuccessful.
- 8
Upload documents, fast
Drawn applicants are asked for full documentation. The LDA gives 72 hours. If a document is missing or out of date your place passes to the waitlist. This is where a prepared folder pays off.
- 9
Assessment and offer
The provider verifies income and eligibility, then offers a specific home. You normally get a viewing and a few days to accept. Deposit is one month’s rent minus €50 (cost rental) or the 10% deposit (purchase).
- 10
Move in
Cost rental tenancies are registered with the RTB, rent rises only with inflation, and you have security of tenure after six months. Your income can rise afterwards without affecting the tenancy.
Based on the Housing Agency FAQ, LDA and AHB application guidance and the Affordable Housing Act 2021. Reviewed 2026-09-07.
Questions people ask
Can I apply for several schemes at once?
Yes. Each scheme is separate and there is no penalty for applying to many. You just cannot submit two applications to the same scheme.
Is there an appeal if I am rejected?
Usually one clarification round for missing documents, but no appeal of the eligibility decision itself. If you think the income calculation was wrong, reply with evidence straight away.
Do I need to be a first-time buyer or renter?
For cost rental, no: you must not currently own property, but previous ownership is fine. Affordable purchase is for first-time buyers, with Fresh Start exceptions for separated, divorced or insolvent applicants.