Pathway to Supporting Home Ownership and Increasing Affordability
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Housing for All | A New Housing Plan for Ireland
Pathway to
Supporting
Home Ownership
and Increasing
Affordability
33
Housing for All | A New Housing Plan for Ireland
Affordable
Purchase
Delivery First Home
Targets Scheme
Owner Cost
Occupier Rental
Guarantee
Pathway to
Homeownership
and Increasing
Local Affordability LDA
Authority Affordable
Home Loan Homes
Protecting Part V
Tenants
Figure 5:
Pathway to Homeownership
and Increasing Affordability
34Housing for All | 1. Pathway to Supporting
Housing
Homefor All | A New
Ownership andHousing
Increasing
Plan
Affordability
for Ireland
1 Pathway to Supporting
Home Ownership and
Increasing Affordability
• Delivery of 54,000 affordable homes • Expanded Part V requirements to increase
between now and 2030. the percentage contribution from 10% to
20% and applied to affordable as well as
• An average of 6,000 affordable homes to
social housing.
be made available every year for purchase
or for rent by Local Authorities, AHBs, the • Launch of a newly expanded Local
LDA and through a strategic partnership Authority Home Loan.
between the State and retail banks.
• A ‘Fresh Start’ principle for applications to
• A new, nationally available, affordable affordable housing and loan schemes.
purchase shared-equity First Home scheme,
• Extended Rent Pressure Zone Protections
until 2025, for new-build homes in private
to 2024 and rents linked to the
developments.
Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices.
• A new Local Authority-led Affordable
• Introduction of indefinite tenures for rent
Purchase Scheme.
leases.
• The Land Development Agency (LDA)
will be a new and important source of
affordable housing on public land and will
advance a new initiative, Project Tosaigh, to
enable the early delivery of new affordable
homes.
• The introduction of a new form of rental
tenure and delivery of ‘Cost Rental’ homes.
35Housing for All | A New Housing Plan for Ireland
Putting Homeownership back within reach to access suitable affordable housing that
of the ‘squeezed middle’ and breaking the meets their needs as they move through
rent trap are core goals of Housing for All. life. That means that we need a mixture of
The Government is acting decisively to affordable rental options in urban areas near
expand the options for those currently concentrations of employment, the option to
facing affordability constraints in buying buy in vibrant communities with reasonable
or renting a home with an unprecedented commutes to work and education, and more
level of financial commitment and delivery options to live and work in our towns and
ambition. This requires a step change in the villages in rural areas.
interventions that must be put in place to When these options are not sufficiently
support homeownership. It will also see the available, it upsets the balance of our housing
introduction of a new form of tenure in ‘Cost system and can have a very negative impact
Rental’, which will deliver long-term security on people’s lives. This is true at all stages
of tenure at affordable and predictable of life, but particularly at key life events, for
prices. These measures have been put on example, when people are deciding to leave
a statutory basis through the prioritisation the family home, take up a new job, settle into
of the Affordable Housing Act 2021. Taken a community or perhaps start a family.
together, these affordable measures will
make homeownership achievable for tens of In response to the demand for more
thousands of individuals and families in the affordable housing, the State will deliver
near-term and will reduce the rental pressures 54,000 affordable homes to either purchase
on thousands of hard-pressed middle income or rent between now and end 2030, with
earners. Short-term measures will support 29,000 delivered by end 2026. The majority
people immediately, allowing for longer-term of homes will be targeted at Affordable
measures to take hold. Purchase with an overall average delivery
ratio of approximately 2:1 Affordable
The State is significantly increasing its Purchase to Cost Rental. These new-build
investment in affordable housing and the homes will be targeted primarily at first
State will manage its commitment so that time buyers and those facing demonstrable
people are helped when they need it most. affordability constraints.
It will recoup and recycle its investment so
more people can be helped. This will move First-time buyers, on low to moderate
us away from an over-reliance on annual incomes, will now be able to buy a new
Exchequer funding in an economically counter home with State support through an equity
cyclical manner. Our affordable housing stake. A new tenure of more affordable ‘Cost
measures will contribute to a more developed, Rental’ will be introduced that will be based
responsive and appropriate housing system on the cost of provision rather than profit
that offers people real choice at affordable maximisation.
levels when they need it. A ‘Fresh start’ principle will apply to
Affordability and the chance to own a applications to State-run affordable housing
home are being placed at the very heart of and loan schemes. This means that people
our housing policy. People should be able who are divorced/separated and no longer
have a financial interest in the family home, or
36Housing for All | 1. Pathway to Supporting
Housing
Homefor All | A New
Ownership andHousing
Increasing
Plan
Affordability
for Ireland
who have undergone insolvency proceedings, 1.1 Implement the Affordable
will be eligible to apply for State schemes.
Housing Act 2021
To give people improved choice and
Under the new Affordable Housing Act
opportunities to purchase as quickly as
2021, we are giving people a choice of
possible, the Government is simultaneously
affordable housing options. Firstly, we are
introducing two new affordable purchase
going to invest to support people on low
schemes. The first will involve Local
to moderate incomes to buy their First
Authorities delivering, or facilitating the
Home. Secondly, the State is introducing a
delivery of, new homes in areas where
completely new form of more affordable
affordability challenges have been identified.
‘Cost Rental’ homes, where the rent will
The second, which will be nationally available,
be based on the cost of provision rather
will see the State partnering with the banking
than on profit maximisation. This complex
sector to establish a new affordable purchase
legislation is the most comprehensive
shared-equity First Home scheme.
piece of affordable housing legislation that
Affordable Purchase and ‘Cost Rental’ homes has ever been brought forward and has
will be delivered by our Local Authorities, been a top priority for the Minister for
AHBs and by the Land Development Agency Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
(LDA). The LDA will be a new and important
source of affordable housing on public
lands. The Government will increase the 1.2 Launch a new Local Authority
funding available to the LDA to bring forward Affordable Purchase Scheme
affordable housing developments at scale.
Local Authorities, working with delivery
We will also revise and expand the Local Authority partners, will play a central role in the
Home Loan scheme. Single people earning up to planning and provision of affordable
€65,000 will be eligible to apply in areas where homes through a new Affordable Purchase
the scheme’s house price limit is €320,000 Scheme. The provisions of this scheme
(i.e. Greater Dublin Area, Cork, Galway). have been placed on a statutory basis in
The Help to Buy Incentive is due to end on the Affordable Housing Act 2021. The
31 December 2021 and the Minister for homes will be available at a reduced price
Finance will consider an extension to the with the Local Authority taking an equity
timeline in the context of Budget 2022. The stake equivalent to the reduction from the
role of the Help to Buy incentive will also prevailing market price for the property.
be reviewed using the Tax Strategy Group The purchaser can redeem or ‘buy
mechanism with the aim of ensuring that it out’ this equity stake at a time of their
is appropriately calibrated in the context of choosing, but there will be no requirement
other measures contained in Housing for All. to do so. If the purchaser chooses not to
redeem the equity stake while living in
the home, the State can do so when the
property is sold, or transferred, or after
the death of the owner.
37Housing for All | A New Housing Plan for Ireland
These schemes will be primarily affordable purchase or rent. Depending
targeted at first-time buyers in those on the type, size and location of the
Local Authority areas with the greatest homes, which varies from project to
housing requirement and affordability project, Local Authorities have indicated
challenges. Other categories will also in Serviced Site Fund submissions that
be eligible, including people who have they will aim to make homes available at
experienced relationship breakdowns average purchase prices
or personal insolvency. Where demand of approximately €250,000.
exceeds supply, homes will be made Importantly, as the equity stake will
available by Local Authorities using return to the State over time, it can
a ‘Scheme of Priority’, which will see be recycled to help others facing
applicant prioritisation based on a range affordability constraints. This will provide
of factors, including the size of the funding for counter-cyclical economic
household applying and the length of housing interventions, moving away
time a household has been living in the from an over-reliance on the availability
local area. of annual Exchequer funding.
Funding will continue to be made
available to pay for land servicing,
which will facilitate the delivery of
Affordable Purchase Scheme
new-build Local Authority affordable Provided by Local Authorities
housing at a more competitive price.
This funding is now being significantly What is it?
increased and enhanced to support Local authorities will make homes available
at reduced prices for first-time buyers and
key Local Authorities in areas where those seeking a fresh start
affordability challenges are greatest.
The Government will support, and work What price will homes be?
with, Local Authorities to deliver housing Average prices will be in the region of €250,000
in targeted areas. This will include
situations in which a Local Authority How?
does not have suitable land to deliver The Government’s ‘Affordable Housing Fund’
will provide a subsidy of up to €100,000
the level of housing required. (depending on location and need) towards the
home. This will reduce the cost of a home.
This funding will be made available
through the new Affordable Housing
Fund (which will incorporate the How will it work?
Local authority will retain a stake of up to 30%
existing Serviced Sites Fund) and will in the home. The buyer can buy out the equity if
they want. If they don't, the local authority will
be effectively deployed to achieve the redeem it when the home is sold or transferred.
delivery of thousands of homes for
Figure 6:
Local Authority Affordable
Purchase Scheme
38Housing for All | 1. Pathway to Supporting
Housing
Homefor All | A New
Ownership andHousing
Increasing
Plan
Affordability
for Ireland
1.3 Establish a First Home will be available to purchase these homes
(or max 30% if the Help to Buy is not
Scheme
utilised). Utilising the support of the
The Government, working in partnership banking sector to match Exchequer funds
with the banking sector, will establish a in delivering this scheme, will enable
new national shared-equity First Home the State to double the benefit of its
Scheme. Under this scheme, the State investment for purchasers and support
and participating banks will jointly twice as many families and individuals to
support first-time buyers on moderate buy their first homes. This market based
incomes to buy a new home. The scheme will be established immediately,
support will take the form of an equity allowing time for the Local Authority
stake in the home equivalent to the new-build delivery to ramp up.
level of funding provided. Unlike the
Local Authority-led Affordable Purchase
scheme, the First Home Scheme will be
‘First Home’ Shared Equity Scheme
available nationally, and purchasers can
themselves determine where they choose
to buy. No service charge will be applied
First-Time Household Income
(example)
Buyer €70,000
to the equity stake for the first five years, (Individual or Couple)
with a modest annual charge beginning
Cost of private new-build home
to apply from year six. As is also the case
with the Local Authority-led Affordable
€320,000
Purchase scheme, the purchaser will be The maximum Deposit required
mortgage
enabled to redeem or ‘buy out’ this equity
available is €32,000
stake at a time of their choosing, but
€245,000 (This may include up to €30,000
from the Help to Buy scheme)
there will be no compulsion to do so.
The First Home Scheme will be available Issue:
to eligible purchasers for the acquisition Financial gap of
of new homes in private developments €43,000
throughout the country. Homes made
available will be subject to area-based
Solution:
price ceilings for houses and apartments. When applying for a mortgage, you can apply
It is anticipated that these ceilings will for the ‘First Home’ Shared Equity
Scheme to bridge the €43,000 gap
be based on open market prices and will
range from about €225,000 for homes
A Home
in the most competitively priced areas of
the country to approximately €450,000 in
the most expensive areas. In exceptional
cases, specific ceilings may be applied
to stimulate the supply of apartments in
Figure 7:
urban areas. Up to 20% equity support
First Home Scheme
39Housing for All | A New Housing Plan for Ireland
1.4 Roll-out Cost Rental at Scale Over the period to 2026, it is intended
that approximately 10,000 Cost
Cost Rental is the most radical reform
Rental homes will be delivered in our
of the Irish rental system in the history
urban centres by Local Authorities,
of the State. The private rental sector
Approved Housing Bodies and the Land
has traditionally provided homes
Development Agency. In building to
based on prevailing market rents and
this scale, the State will provide certain
profit maximisation. As a result, and
focused funding supports to help delivery
notwithstanding the introduction of
partners provide rental homes that target
Rent Pressure Zones, prevailing rents
affordable rents at levels in the order of
can fluctuate significantly and can be
25% below market rents. Increasing the
excessively high in the areas of greatest
scale of Cost Rental is a key objective and
demand, with some households paying
the Land Development Agency will have a
significantly more in rent than would be
key delivery role. Delivery of Cost Rental
the required mortgage repayment on an
at scale will also have a stabilising effect
equivalent property.
on the wider rental market. Furthermore,
A new statutory basis is being established Cost Rental investment by private-sector
for Cost Rental under the Affordable vehicles has been facilitated through
Housing Act 2021, which sets out how legislation in the Affordable Housing
this new sector will operate. Under Act 2021. Returns on such investment
Cost Rental, homes will be provided at would be limited, but would be secure
rents that are set to cover only the cost and consistent. Such investment under
of financing, building, managing and the environmental, social and governance
maintaining the homes, calculated over a (ESG) remit of institutional and pension
minimum period of 40 years. Tenants will funds, can provide for increased capacity
have significantly increased security of in the delivery of Cost Rental homes.
tenure, making Cost Rental a long-term
rental option. Rents for these homes will
be linked to annual inflation, providing Cost Rental Scheme
greater cost certainty and meaning Aimed at those on Moderate Incomes
that the initial cost rents may become
even more affordable over time. This
Tenants
pay rent that only covers cost
measure is being targeted at middle- of building and managing the home
18,000
income households, with incomes above Cost Rental Homes
the social housing limits. The aim is to to be funded to 2030
maximise effectiveness for those who
do not already receive support from the
Target rent rates below market value
25%
AT LEAST
State.
Figure 8: Cost Rental Scheme
40Housing for All | 1. Pathway to Supporting
Housing
Homefor All | A New
Ownership andHousing
Increasing
Plan
Affordability
for Ireland
1.5 Launch ‘Project Tosaigh’ to 1.6 Expand the Part V
Deliver more Affordable Requirement to 20% to
Homes through the Land include Affordable Homes
Development Agency The requirement in Part V of the Planning
and Development Act 2000 to provide
The Government recognises that, for a
10% of the uplift in value of zoned
multitude of reasons, many non-State sites
residential land for social housing, has
where homes could be delivered, even
been increased to a mandatory 20% for
those that have planning consents, are not
social, affordable and cost rental housing
being built out quickly enough, or at all. The
requirements, of which at least half must
LDA has specific statutory responsibility
be applied to social housing provision4.
to deliver affordable housing, primarily
The link to a specified percentage need
on State land, but also to enable more
in the Housing Strategy reflected in the
affordable homes through engagement
Development Plan objectives has been
with other actors. As the Government’s
removed, so the focus will be on capturing
key institutional intervention in the
the full share of the planning gain for the
housing market, the LDA will be tasked
State on every applicable site, in every
with intervening in these slow or stalled
Local Authority area. The 20% will apply to
developments, through an open and
all land transacted after the new legislation
transparent process, designed to ascertain
comes in to force, or bought before 2015,
the potential for it to enter into strategic
where planning permission has not been
partnerships with landowners in order to
granted.
unlock and accelerate delivery. This will
be known as ‘Project Tosaigh’ as it will get Current planning permissions will be
development started at scale. unaffected, and land purchased between
2015 and 2021 will also continue at 10%.
If value for money for the State and
Near term supply will not be affected by
affordability can be ascertained following
these changes. However, this will change
this process, the LDA will be funded by
in 2026 when the 20% will apply to
an additional €1bn above current levels
all land regardless of when purchased.
to enable the delivery of up to 5,000
Developers, therefore, must act now to
new affordable homes on such lands that
bring forward housing or they will face
otherwise would not have been delivered,
the new higher obligation at that time.
or would be delivered much more slowly.
This is a balanced and fair way to allow
It will do this by entering into strategic
supply to come forward at pace, while
partnerships with suitable parties that
also ensuring that the State is getting as
have a proven ability to deliver homes.
much benefit as possible for social and
These homes will be delivered in the
affordable purposes. The Housing Agency
near term from next year. This significant
will support local authorities to ensure
and immediate delivery initiative will
the revised requirements are applied
be supplemented by further large-scale
consistently.
affordable delivery from the LDA’s growing
State land bank.
Per Part 6 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021
4
41Housing for All | A New Housing Plan for Ireland
1.7 Reform the Local Authority
Home Loan scheme Local
LocalAuthority
Authority Home LoanScheme
Home Loan Scheme
Changes will be made to the current Who Qualifies?
Qualifies?
Who
Local Authority mortgage product which First-time buyer(s) looking to purchase a new
First-time buyer(s) looking to purchase a new
or second-hand home or self-build
or second-hand home or self-build
enables first-time buyers, on low to Individual max income: €65,000
Individual max income: €65,000
moderate incomes, to access sustainable Joint applicants' max income: €75,000
Joint applicants' €75,000
You must be able tomax income:
show that two banks or
mortgages to purchase new or second- You must societies
building be able to showmortgage
refused that twoapproval
banks or
building societies
or offeredrefused mortgage
insufficient finance approval
hand properties, or to self-build. The or offered insufficient finance
loan, in its current form, has had over Property Requirements
2,200 mortgage drawdowns in just over Property Requirements
The home price can’t exceed €320,000 if in Cork,
Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath
3 years of operation. The product will The home price can’t
or Wicklow. exceed €320,000
It's €250,000 if in Cork,
if elsewhere.
Dublin, Galway,
The home mustKildare, Louth,
not be Meath
bigger
be changed by lowering the interest or Wicklow.
than It's
175€250,000 if elsewhere.
square metres.
The home must not be bigger
rate for new borrowers by 0.25% and than 175 square metres.
raising the maximum income ceiling for
single persons to €65,000 in areas where
the house price limit under the scheme Figure 9:
is €320,000 (Greater Dublin Area5, Local Authority Home Loan Scheme
Cork, Galway). These improvements
will extend the reach and impact of the
scheme, particularly for single people,
whilst ensuring that the Home Loan’s
1.8 Set Out a new Owner-
features remain appropriately positioned
compared to commercial mortgages. Occupier Guarantee
The Government has introduced new,
higher-rate stamp duty measures and
planning permission restrictions to
minimise the bulk buying of traditional
family homes. We will also introduce a
new form of ‘owner-occupier guarantee’
which will enable Local Authorities,
following on from the introduction of the
Housing Need & Demand Assessment
Framework, to specify a minimum
proportion of the houses and duplexes in
a new development as being restricted to
first occupation by individual purchasers
or ‘owner occupiers’.
Greater Dublin Area refers to Dublin, Louth, Wicklow, Meath, Kildare
5
42Housing for All | 1. Pathway to Supporting
Housing
Homefor All | A New
Ownership andHousing
Increasing
Plan
Affordability
for Ireland
Housing Policy Objective 1:
Enable Homeownership and Increase Affordability
No. Timeline Lead
1.1 Provide an average of 6,000 affordable homes each year Ongoing DHLGH
under the provisions of a new Affordable Housing Act
1.2 Place affordable housing measures, including a Local Q3 2021 DHLGH
Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme and Cost Rental,
on a statutory footing via the Affordable Housing Act
1.3 Establish a new Affordable Housing Fund, incorporating Q3 2021 DHLGH
existing affordable housing funds, to support Local Authority
and Approved Housing Body delivery of affordable housing
1.4 Provide a First Home market based Shared-Equity Scheme Q1 2022 DHLGH
1.5 Introduce a new form of tenure in Cost Rental and deliver Q3 2021 DHLGH, LAs,
Cost Rental homes at scale with delivery partners, including AHBs, LDA
AHBs, LDA and Local Authorities
1.6 Reform the operation and deployment of the current Q4 2021 DHLGH
Serviced Sites Fund, incorporating same under the new
Affordable Housing Fund, in order to provide more flexible
support to Local Authorities in delivering affordable housing
for sale or rent
1.7 Increase funding available to the LDA to provide affordable Q1 2024 DFIN, DHLGH
homes at scale
1.8 Expand Part V requirements to increase the percentage Q3 2021 DHLGH
contribution from 10% to 20% and apply to affordable
as well as social housing
1.9 Ensure consistency in the application of the new Ongoing Housing Agency
arrangements under Part V by Local Authorities
1.10 Introduce a form of ‘owner-occupier guarantee’, which will Q4 2021 DHLGH
enable Local Authorities to specify the proportion of houses
and duplexes in a development for owner-occupiers
1.11 Revise and expand the Local Authority Home Loan Q4 2021 DHLGH
1.12 Consider an extension to the timeline of the Help to Buy Q4 2021 DFIN
Incentive in the context of Budget 2022
1.13 Review the Help to Buy Incentive to ensure it is Q4 2021 DFIN
appropriately calibrated
HPO = Housing Policy Objective
43Housing for All | A New Housing Plan for Ireland
1.9 Protect Tenants in Private short-term protections for tenants
experiencing Covid-19 related arrears have
Rental Accommodation been extended to January 2022. Security
Too many people have been caught in an of tenure will be strengthened for tenants,
unaffordable, insecure rent trap. In order to subject to legal advice, by legislating for
support those who wish to buy their home tenancies of indefinite duration. Oversight
and facilitate people who want to rent, we of tenancies will also be strengthened by
need to protect tenants. Changes in society the introduction of an annual registration
such as longer stays in education, starting process.
families later, immigration and difficulties
The Government will also facilitate
in accessing mortgage finance have driven
increased enforcement of registration
demand for rental accommodation. As
of tenancy requirements. Enforcement
an open economy, a steady supply of
will be generally enhanced through
good quality accommodation, including
measures such as the expansion of
rental accommodation, is also a necessary
data-sharing arrangements between
precursor for Ireland’s targeted levels
the Revenue Commissioners and the
of foreign direct investment and related
Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to assist
employment.
in enforcement of residential tenancy
While supply of private and social housing obligations.
has increased, with Cost Rental and
The Government recognises that it is in the
affordable housing due to come on stream,
interest of both the tenant and landlord to
it is not yet at a scale that will significantly
resolve any disputes as early as possible
impact the overall private rental market.
without recourse to lengthy adjudication
Rent increases are unsustainable and are
and tribunal processes. The DHLGH will
causing affordability issues, particularly
provide additional resources to the RTB to
for those with low incomes and the more
ensure that it can continue to play its part,
vulnerable of our citizens.
including to facilitate early engagement to
According to the 2011 Census, the prevent disputes escalating to formal RTB
numbers relying on the private rental sector dispute resolution, particularly in cases
nearly doubled from the 2006 Census level of rent arrears and where a legal tenancy
of 9.9% to 18.5%. In the 2016 Census termination or illegal eviction is in prospect.
figures, the private rental sector accounted Mediation and conciliation help to resolve
for nearly 18.2% of all tenures. This disputes at an early stage. In recognition of
underlines the importance of the private this, the Government intends to amend the
rental sector to our housing system. Residential Tenancies Acts to provide for
The Government has introduced measures default conciliation as part of the dispute
to protect renters with affordability resolution process.
challenges by extending Rent Pressure In response to the Covid-19 pandemic,
Zone controls to the end of 2024 and the Government introduced the Pandemic
linking rent increase limits to the cost of Unemployment Payment (PUP) and
living (through the Harmonised Index of adjusted the Rent Supplement income
Consumer Prices (HICP)). In addition, threshold to reflect PUP payment rates.
44Housing for All | 1. Pathway to Supporting
Housing
Homefor All | A New
Ownership andHousing
Increasing
Plan
Affordability
for Ireland
Under the National Economic Recovery This is a complex area that includes
Plan, the Government has extended the obligations on both tenants and
PUP for existing recipients and set out landlords. Deposit retention can cause
how the PUP rates will be reduced in serious hardship for tenants, as many
stages. The Rent Supplement income will require the return of their deposit
threshold will remain aligned with the top in order to access alternative rental
PUP rate for this extended period and will accommodation. The Government is
be adjusted in line with changes in the committed to examining the creation of a
top PUP rate. The Department of Social system of deposit retention based on best
Protection will also continue to show international practice.
flexibility in respect of rent limits. In support of the Government’s Climate
Targets for inspection of rental properties Action Plan objectives and targets, energy
will be set at 25% of all private residential efficiency in private rental housing needs
tenancies as soon as Covid-19 public to increase. The Government will develop
health restrictions permit. This process will a roadmap to implement minimum
be supported by the full implementation Building Energy Rating (BER) standards, or
of virtual inspections to complement the ‘Cost Optimal’ equivalent, for the private
traditional inspection process, and by rental sector. This will increase energy
examining the potential extension of the role efficiency, help to alleviate fuel poverty,
of estate agents to support compliance of help to protect tenant’s health and improve
rental properties with the required standards comfort levels in rental homes.
before placing them on the market. On-campus purpose-built student
The continued supply of new properties accommodation can alleviate pressure
to the rental market is critical. Therefore on the private rental market. Universities
the initial rent setting for new properties have developed significant numbers
will continue to be at market level for of student accommodation units in
the duration of any RPZ or successor recent years, through borrowing from
restrictions. RPZ restrictions will apply for the European Investment Bank via the
rent increases that follow the initial rent Housing Finance Agency. Section 21 of
setting (either within or between tenancies). the Technological Universities Act 2018
The Government will support the continued provides for borrowing by Technological
participation of small scale landlords in the Universities subject to borrowing approval.
rental market. The DFIN will review the The Technological University Dublin –
recommendations of the Working Group on the largest higher education institution
the Tax and Fiscal Treatment of Landlords in the State – has identified a student
and other taxation measures. accommodation requirement and proposal
The holding of deposits can create and there is similar potential to do so
difficulties for both the tenant and the amongst other technological universities.
landlord. In 2020 there were 1,410 The Government will support technological
deposit-related disputes accounting for universities to develop purpose-built
27% of all disputes. It was the second most student accommodation where such a
common reason for disputes. requirement exists, through access to
appropriate financing (see section 3.6.3).
45Housing for All | A New Housing Plan for Ireland
Housing Policy Objective 2:
Increase protections for Tenants in Private Rental Accommodation
No. Timeline Lead
2.1 Bring forward legislation with provisions to address long- Q4 2021 DHLGH
term security of tenure
2.2 Increase enforcement of registration of tenancies by
Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) Ongoing DHLGH, RTB
2.3 Extend changes in the Rent Supplement income threshold Per timeline in DSP
in line with the adjustment of PUP rates under the National the National
Economic Recovery Plan Economic
Recovery Plan
2.4 Retain the rent limit flexibilities in the Rent Supplement Scheme Ongoing DSP
2.5 Expand data-sharing arrangements between RTB and Revenue Q1 2023 DHLGH, DFIN
2.6 Provide additional resources to the RTB in order to make Q2 2022 DHLGH
available trained RTB facilitators to intervene at an early
stage to prevent disputes escalating between parties
2.7 Extend Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) protections to end 2024 and Q3 2021 DHLGH
link rent increases to Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices
2.8 Review the recommendations of the Working Group on Q3 2022 DFIN
the Tax and Fiscal Treatment of Landlords
2.9 Retain market based settings for first rent of new properties Ongoing DHLGH
to the market for the duration of RPZ protections or any
successor restrictions
2.10 Examine the potential extension of the role of estate agents Q4 2022 DoJ
to include an initial inspection of rental property to the
extent possible
2.11 Support diversification of housing stock and increase availability Ongoing DFHERIS, DFIN,
of rental stock by supporting the development of Purpose Built DHLGH
Student Accommodation by Technological Universities
2.12 Examine the creation of a system of holding rental deposits, Q2 2023 DHLGH
informed by international experience
2.13 Legislate through the Residential Tenancies Acts for default Q1 2022 DHLGH
conciliation as part of the dispute resolution process within
the RTB
2.14 Implement Minimum BER standards, where feasible, for Q1 2025 DHLGH
private rental properties, commencing in 2025
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