Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme is open to eligible tenants of local authority houses that are available for sale under the scheme. The scheme is underpinned by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 and the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) Regulations 2015. The 2015 regulations were amended by the Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, which came into effect on 29 January 2024.

These amendments include a reduction in the minimum reckonable income required in order to qualify to purchase a house under the Scheme, to €11,000 per annum. In addition in the case of joint applications, only one tenant must now be in receipt of social housing supports for at least 10 years to qualify for the scheme.

The Ministerial Directions on Reckonable Income were also amended, and from that date the Widow's, Widower's, Surviving Civil Partner's Pension (Contributory and Non-Contributory), Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension, and Disability Allowance, are considered to be primary reckonable income for the purposes of determining eligibility for the Scheme. Furthermore, the Working Family Payment, Age 80 (Pension) increase, and the Rural Social Scheme will now be considered as secondary sources of income.

The purchase price discount received by an eligible tenant purchaser is based on the tenants' income and may be 40%, 50% or 60%. An incremental purchase charge, otherwise known as a clawback, is then placed on the property for a period of between 20 and 30 years, depending on the discount received by the tenant purchaser. This charge gradually reduces over time.

While eligibility for the scheme is determined by the local authorities on examination of an application, it should be noted that my Department has issued detailed written guidance to all local authorities regarding the operation of the scheme.

More specific information, including an application form, can be obtained from the local authority directly: www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/housing/promotinghomeownership/tenantincrementalpurchasescheme/