Cost Rental FAQ’s

Please be aware that you are providing information for the purposes of verifying your eligibility for Cost Rental Housing as deemed by the Affordable Housing Act 2021.

When commencing an application you must confirm:

• I have read and understood the privacy policy – Click here.
• I understand the eligibility requirements and application procedure. Click here.

By completing an application, you acknowledge that all of the information provided by you in an application (or any other accompanying or required documents) is correct accurate and complete.

You also understand that falsifications, misrepresentation or omission of any facts in said documents either by omission or commission will be the cause for refusal of your application (including revoking any offers made under this process) regardless of the timing or circumstances of discovery.

Once we have confirmed your application meets the eligibility criteria, we will invite you to an interview and viewing of the property.)

You also understand that the Cost Rental unit is fitted out as advertised and that modifications and adaptions to the unit are not possible through this process.

More information:

To find a list of the documents accepted as proof of eligibility, for more information on cost rental, please see our frequently asked questions (FAQ) below on this page.

This new housing tenure offers a long-term, secure rental option that will contribute to the development of a healthy housing market in Ireland. The rent is based on the cost of building, managing, and maintaining the homes which means it is an affordable housing option.

For more information on Cost Rental please visit:
https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2021/si/425/made/en/print

All cost rental rents are set at a minimum level of 25% below the market rents in the area where the scheme is located.

The deposit is one month’s rent less €50

Answer – After 6 consecutive months in occupation under the tenancy and without a valid notice of termination being served your tenancy will be become a tenancy of unlimited duration. This is provided there are no issues with breach of your tenancy obligations or rent arrears.

These properties are a long-term rental option that offer security of tenure.

No. These properties will not be available to purchase.

Net household income is calculated by adding together the net income for each household member aged 18 years and over. Net income means that income tax, universal social charge, pension related deductions and PRSI are deducted from the relevant gross assessable income.

We will carry out an affordability test to ensure your rent charge is not more than 35% of your net household income. In the event that it is higher, we will give you the option to evidence, that based on your current income you have paid the same rent or higher, for the preceding two years without defaulting.

You can apply on the website and following the ‘register here’ tab . This is the only method to apply, applications cannot be made by post or over the phone. Or see a direct application link here.

No, one application per household only is permitted. Anyone applying multiple times will be disqualified from the lottery.

Answer – If successful, applicants will be assigned a unit based on the below allocation criteria;

• One-bed property – suitable for a single person, or cohabiting couple.
• Two-bed property – suitable for two adults or cohabiting couple or a lone parent with 1 or more children.
• Three-bed property – suitable for three adults, or a lone parent with 2 or more children.
• Four-bed property – suitable for four adults, cohabiting couple, or lone parent with three or more children.

We want to make sure that cost rental homes are allocated in the fairest and most transparent way possible. This will involve a lottery system via our website. Every application for each unit type will be entered into a lottery for random selection. If your name is chosen from the lottery, we will make contact with you to submit your documents so that we can verify you are eligible for a cost rental unit. If you qualify, we will then arrange an interview and viewing of the property.

The lottery will be run once the advertising of the properties has ceased. This is operated by an external agency with full audit trail for transparency. The lottery will create at random; a list of all applicants and we will approach applicants from the top of the list.

If your name is chosen from the lottery, the following documents will need to be submitted;

1. Proof of ID for each household member
2. Proof of Address
3. Proof of Residency
4. Proof of Income for all members of the household over 18
5. Employer Reference
6. Landlord Reference
7. Bank Statements

Please have these documents ready when you register your interest. If your application is successful, you will have 48 hours to upload your documents and complete the application process

1. Proof of ID (Current Valid Signed Passport/Current Valid Passport Card/Current Valid Travel Document/Current Valid EU/EEA Driving Licence– must contain photograph (Irish Provisional accepted)/Current EU National Identity Card)Proof of address (Utility Bill e.g. telephone, mobile, gas, electricity, heating, oil, waste collection (where a utility bill is a first bill, a second form of address verification is required)/Correspondence from a Regulated Financial Institution operating in the Republic of Ireland (Insurance / Assurance Co., Bank, Building Society, Credit Union, Credit Card Company)/Correspondence from a Government Department / Body)Proof of Residency in the Republic Of Ireland. Documents that are eligible as proof of residence are as followsEmployment Details Summary (P60)Statement of Payments/Benefits from Dept. of Social ProtectionTenancy agreement if you are rentingBank statements for at least 3 months showing day-to-day transactions or Direct Debits for utility billsAn employment letter from your current employer, which includes your name, address and date you commenced workProof of incomeIf employed: Employment Details Summary (P60) and/or last three months payslips

   End of Year Statement (P21)

   If self-employed– a minimum of 1 year’s accounts, along with an up-to-date tax balancing statement and preliminary tax receipt.

   Social Welfare Income – documentary evidence of all social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and pensions being received by members of the household. As income of household members over 18 is also included in the assessment for qualification, evidence of payments to these household members is also needed.

   Employer Reference, dated within the previous 6 weeks

   Landlord Reference, dated within the previous 6 weeks

   Bank Statements for the previous 6 months

If your name is chosen from the lottery, you will hear from us within five working days after the closing date.

Yes, we will notify all applicants whether they are successful or not.

If your name is chosen from the lottery system, you will hear from us within five working days after the closing date. If you are unsuccessful, you will be contacted within 10 working days after the closing date.

No – We will not be holding a waiting list for cost rental housing. You will be able to apply again when schemes are advertised.

No. You cannot transfer or apply for a cost rental tenancy if you receive social housing supports.,

You can apply for a cost rental property if the live anywhere in Ireland, you do not have to live local to where the cost rental property is, however you must be a permanent resident of Ireland and provide proof of residency.

Answer – Applications are assessed at point of entry. If for example, after you’ve been allocated a property your household income increased above the application limit, you would still be entitled to continue renting the property.