COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 12, 2011

QUESTION NO. 16

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

To ask the Manager what options are due to be available, or under exploration, for those seeking to purchase their Council home subsequent to 31st December 2011, and to make a statement on the Tenant Purchase Scheme in general?

REPLY:

The Tenant Purchase Scheme adopted by the Council in 1995 is still in existance until it ceases on 13th June 2012, after which no new applications may be accepted. This scheme allows for a maximum discount of 30% of market value, based on a maiximum of 10 years tenancy.  (3% per year of tenancy- up to max of 10 years)

In addition The Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government introduced a new Long Term Tenant Purchase Scheme for Long Standing Tenants in, which was approved at the March 2011 Council meeting, which allows up to 45% discount on market value, up to maximum of 15 years tenancy. (3% per year of tenancy up to max of 15 years) The expiry date for this scheme is 31st December 2011 for applications, with sales being completed by 31st December 2012. All tenants of the Council have been notified of the ending of the exisiting scheme in June 2012, as well as notification of the Fixed Long Term Tenant Purchase Scheme ending for applications in December 2011.

To date in to 31st August 2011, we  have received under the old tenant purchase scheme, 14 applications with 1 sale completed. In addition, under the Long Term tenant purchase scheme we have received 45 applications with 2 sales completed to date.

A new Incremental Purchase Scheme is due to be introduced by the Department of the Environment, to replace the current Tenant Purcahse Scheme. The current scheme gives discounts related to length of tenancy and  will be replaced by a discount scheme based on household income. The details of the new scheme are not yet to hand.  However, it is anticipated that the new purchase scheme for tenants of houses will be broadly similar to the recently introduced incremental purchase scheme for new build houses.  Initially the purchaser will only have to purchase a part of the equity in the property. Full details of any scheme introduced by the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government will be circulated to the Members when they are received.