Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 206: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a person who bought out their council house approximately twenty years ago can rent out that house now; the position in such cases; and the length of time the local authority have a interest in houses that they formerly owned. [6962/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the tenant purchase scheme special conditions apply to the occupancy and disposal of a tenant purchased house. These conditions require that the dwelling must be occupied as a normal place of residence by the purchaser or by a member of the purchaser's family, unless the local authority otherwise allows. In addition, the first resale of houses sold under the tenant purchase scheme requires the consent of the local authority. The time period for which the conditions apply is as stated in the transfer order of the dwelling in question. Under the current scheme these conditions apply for a period of 20 years from the date of the transfer to the tenant purchaser or such longer period as may be provided for in a shared ownership lease.

All aspects of the tenant purchase scheme are currently under review in accordance with the Government's commitment in the recently launched Statement on Housing Policy — Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities. Details of the revised scheme will be announced over the coming months.