Low Cost Housing Sites
Under this scheme, a local authority may make housing sites available at low cost to assist persons in housing need to provide their own housing.
Such housing may be provided either:
Individually, with the help, if necessary, of the other social housing measures including shared ownership, local authority house purchase loans, mortgage allowance, etc.;or
Collectively, through the voluntary housing schemes, special group shared ownership housing projects or housing co-operatives.
Qualifying Criteria
To be eligible for a Low Cost Site you must be:
A first time buyer and in need of housing and your income satisfies the income test below, or
A person whose application for local authority housing has been approved by the local authority, or
A local authority tenant or tenant purchaser who wishes to buy a private house and to return your present house to the local authority, or
A tenant for more than one year of a house provided by a voluntary body under the Rental Subsidy Scheme who wishes to buy a private house and return your present house to the voluntary body.
How does the income test apply?
Single income household
Multiply your gross income (before tax) in the last income year by 2.5. If the result is €100,000 or less you are eligible.
Two income household
Multiply the gross income (before tax) of the principal (greater) income in the last income tax year by 2.5 and add the gross income of the subsidiary (lesser) earner in the last income tax year. If the result is €100,000 or less, you are eligible.
Approved applicants for local authority housing and tenants and tenant purchasers of local authority dwellings and tenants for more than one year of Rental Subsidy Scheme housing surrendering their dwellings are exempt from the above income test.
What is the cost of a site?
The local authority will decide the cost depending on a number of factors, such as the location of the site and the income and personal circumstances of the applicant.
How do I fund my building costs?
The cost of building your house may be met through a conventional mortgage from a bank, building society or your local authority.
Other Options which may be of interest
The low cost sites scheme is specifically intended to be used in conjunction with other housing schemes. The following options are available.
For individuals
Shared Ownership Scheme
Affordable Housing Scheme
Mortgage Allowance Scheme
For voluntary housing bodiesVoluntary Housing Capital Assistance Scheme
Voluntary Housing Rental Subsidy Scheme
Can I resell my house?
You may sell your house at any time. However, where a site was originally provided under the low cost sites scheme by the local authority at a discount from market value you must refund to the local authority a % of the proceeds from the sale of your property. The % of the proceeds to be repaid will be equal to the % discount originally received from the local authority. A full refund must be paid if you sell in the first ten years of occupancy. A reduction of 10% per annum is given for each full year of occupancy between 10 and 20 years. After 20 years of full occupancy no refund would be due to the local authority on the resale of the property.
Contact Information
Housing Dept,
Rathass, Tralee,
Co. Kerry
Telephone: 066/7183862
Fax: 066/7183612
Email: housing@kerrycoco.ie
Get directions to this office
