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SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 10, 2012

QUESTION NO. 5

QUESTION: Councillor J. Hannon

To ask the Manager if details have been received in relation to a new tenant purchase scheme, and, if so, will she outline its terms?

REPLY:

The current Tenant Purchase Scheme in operation is the 1995 Tenant Purchase Scheme.  This scheme is due to expire on 31st December 2012 ie applications to purchase must be made by 31/12/2012.

Applications received under the 2011 Fixed Term Tenant Purchase Scheme (applications accepted up to 31/12/2011) are still being processed.  All sales under this scheme were due to be completed on / before 31/12/2012.  However in recent days the Department of Environment Community & Local Government has advised local authorities of an extension for completion of sales date to 30/6/2013.

The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government has advised of intention to introduce a new scheme providing for the sale of local authority houses to tenants on incremental purchase principles. The objective of the scheme is to provide an affordable route to homeownership for households.  

In contrast to the 1995 Scheme, the discounts provided under the incremental purchase principles will be based on household income rather than length of tenancy, thereby allowing low-income households to move into home ownership earlier than otherwise might have been possible. This requires primary legislation, following which the new scheme will be introduced as quickly as possible.