If you are an existing local authority housing tenant, you may be eligible to buy your home from us at a discount, based on your income under the 'Tenant Incremental Purchase Scheme' (2016).

If approved, you must continue to live in the house for as long as you own it. A charge called an ‘incremental purchase charge’ will also be placed on your house. This charge will be equal to the discount you get on the price of the house. The charge will remain in place for 20, 25 or 30 years (depending on the discount given). Each year, the local authority will reduce the charge by 2%. At the end of the agreed period, the charge will be zero as long as you abide by the terms and conditions of the scheme.

You will be able to resell your house at any time if Westmeath County Council agrees. However, if you sell before the end of the 20, 25 or 30 years of the incremental purchase charge, you will have to pay back the value of the outstanding charge on your house to Westmeath County Council.

Who can apply

In order to apply you must:

• The period of time tenants will be required to be in receipt of social housing support to be considered eligible under the scheme remains at 10 years. However, in the case of joint tenancies only one tenant is now required to have been in receipt of social housing supports for 10 years.
• Have minimum reckonable income of €11,000 per annum - tenants/joint tenants.
• In addition to the State Pension (Contributory and Non-Contributory) being considered as a primary source of income, the Widow’s, Widower’s, Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory 4 | P a g e and Non-Contributory Pension), Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and Disability Allowance are now also considered primary sources of income.
• Not have purchased a house under a previous tenant purchase scheme.
• Have a satisfactory rent record, and all charges must be up to date.
• No one living in your house can be engaged in anti-social behaviour (this will be checked with the Gardaí).

How to apply

There is a two-stage application process for the scheme.

Stage 1

Stage 1 is the submission of the completed application form. When completing the form, make sure to read the document checklist and attach any relevant documents.

Applicants who pass this evaluation phase may proceed to the second stage.

Stage 2

A valuation of the property is carried out by a valuer (nominated by the Council).

An offer will be created based on the information given.

An offer under this scheme will be valid for 12 months.

The finance is to be organised by the potential buyer, not this council.

Appeals

Appeals may be made in the case of houses excluded by the Local Authority on the basis of under-utilisation. Appeals may also be made on the Local Authority’s assessment of applicant’s income and tenancy. In all cases appeals will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

The appeal process should not be used in cases of changed circumstances after the date of application. In these cases, a new application is required.

Contact Details

Housing Section
Westmeath County Council
Áras an Chontae
Mount Street
Mullingar
Co. Westmeath
N91 FH4N

Tel: 044 93 32119

Email: housing@westmeathcoco.ie

Related Files and Information

• Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme Application Form
• Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme Information Booklet
• Reckonable Income Direction under Section 24 of the Housing Act 2014