Applications will be accepted from 09:00 on 20th August 2024 until 23.30 on 10th September 2024 through this online portal only. Please read the following information carefully before completing this application form.
What is the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme?
Local authorities together with a developer may provide houses below market price for first-time buyers whose mortgage and deposit will not cover the price of the home and who are seeking to purchase a newly-built home. Through the scheme, the local authority will take a percentage equity stake (share of the ownership) in the home equal to the difference between the open market value of the property and the reduced price paid by the purchaser.
Where are the Affordable Homes located?
Carlow County Council and Nesselside builders are delighted to launch the Affordable Purchase Scheme at Cois Dara Phase 2 Tullow Road, Carlow together with agents Sherry Fitzgerald McDermott Auctioneer.
Cois Dara is located on the southern edge of Carlow town with immediate access to the N80 (Wexford/Rosslare Road), the M9 motorway and all town amenities. A total of 13 affordable homes consisting of 2-bedroom 2 storey terraced residence and 3 bedroom 2 storey end of terrace, and 3 bed 2 storey semi detached dwellings in the residential development of Cois Dara,Phase 2 Carlow under affordable dwelling purchase arrangements in accordance with the Affordable Housing Act 2021 and associated Affordable Housing Regulations.
Do applicants need to have mortgage approval in place?
Applicants should submit a Mortgage Approval in Principle letter from their proposed lender confirming the maximum mortgage available to the applicants when applying for affordable housing. Purchasers can use the Local Authority Home Loan or a mortgage from any private lending institution, to finance their purchase. Where a purchaser is not availing of the Local Authority Home Loan through the Council to purchase the home, a separate ‘Priorities Agreement’ between the Council and the bank providing the mortgage to the purchaser will be necessary. This agreement between the Council and the bank will not impact on the purchaser but will record that the Council will retain an equity share in the property and will provide that the bank’s interest will take priority.
What deposit is needed?
Financial institutions require that a minimum 10% deposit must be raised by purchasers. The Help to Buy Scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners can help with the deposit needed to purchase these affordable homes. Please see Revenue.ie for more details.
How to apply
From 20th August the system will allow for input of all relevant data and applicants will be required to upload supporting documentation by clicking the 'APPLY' button above to start. Remember to click 'SUBMIT' button at the end. Once open, complete applications for the Scheme will be accepted on the first-come-first-served basis. Therefore it is important that you gather all required documents in place and have them ready to upload as images before the opening date.
All document uploads must be clear, legible and complete.
Applicants should ensure that they have fully completed the application form and declarations and submitted the required documentation, as the date and time of application will be one of the criteria on which eligible applications will be prioritised under the councils scheme of priority
Before applying please ensure that the following eligibility rules apply to you:
- Be First Time Buyer or meet the exceptions under the Fresh Start Principle.
- The affordable home must be the household's normal place of residence.
- Each person included in the application must have the right to reside indefinitely in the State (Stamp 4 for 5 years).
- Applicant's purchasing power does not exceed 95% of the market value of the property.
Who is eligible to apply for the scheme?
Households which, using their combined deposit and their approved maximum mortgage, cannot afford the home at its open market value and be a first-time buyer and not own or have a legal interest in a dwelling.
Provision is also made for:
- Divorced or separated individuals who do not retain an interest in a home previously owned with their former spouse/Civil Partner;
- Applicants who previously purchased a dwelling but who sold it or became divested of it as part of insolvency/bankruptcy proceedings.
Have the right to reside indefinitely in Ireland. Citizens of a member state of the EU/European Economic Area can apply if they are living and working in Ireland. Non-Irish/EU/EEA citizens must have indefinite leave to remain in the State.(Stamp 4 for 5 years)
How will successful applicants be decided?
Applicants who are eligible and who submit a valid application, date and time of application, along with other criteria listed in the ADPA will be a ranking mechanism on which eligible applications will be prioritised on a First Come First Served Basis under Carlow County Council’s Scheme of Priority for Affordable Dwelling Purchase Arrangements.
Selected applicants will be required to fully verify their application details and will be offered the opportunity to purchase a property.
Checklist for Applicants:
Full list of required documentation is
available here Please familiarize yourself with this checklist.
It should be noted that only complete applications will be considered a valid application.
Affordable Dwelling Purchase Arrangement:
An Affordable Dwelling Purchase Arrangement (ADPA) is a legal contract between the Local Authority and the applicants which sets out the legal arrangements in purchasing an affordable home. You should note that applicants who are successful in proceeding to purchase an affordable home could find the arrangement terminated if the information contained in the application form is found to be untrue/incorrect.
If after reading these FAQs, you still have questions, please contact our affordable purchase team by email at affordablehousing@carlowcoco.ie