Tenant purchase

In some cases, a council tenant may buy their council house.  More details can be found in the Tenant Purchase Handbook.  Here are the main things to keep in mind.

Minimum income requirements

To apply for the scheme, your income must be at least €11,000 per year. 

Time receiving social housing supports

You must have been receiving social housing support for at least 10 years to qualify.

For joint tenants (e.g., couples), only one person now needs to meet this 10-year requirement.

Primary sources of income

The following payments are now accepted as main sources of income when applying:

• State Pension (both Contributory and Non-Contributory)
• Widow’s/Widower’s/Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension (both types)
• Blind Pension
• Invalidity Pension
• Disability Allowance

Secondary sources of income

Some payments that were previously ignored are now counted as secondary income:

• Working Family Payment
• Age 80 Pension Increase
• Rural Social Scheme