There are a number of requirements in relation to the scheme:
the property has to be vacant for at least 12 months prior to submission: proof of vacancy will be required;
there has to be a social housing demand for the property;
the property has to be assessed as being viable to provide social housing.
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If the property meets these requirements it will be inspected by local authority or AHB staff who will identify the works that are required to bring the house up to the required standard.
If the owner wishes to enter into a lease arrangement to make the property available for social housing with the local authority or Approved Housing Body, the following conditions will apply-
the lease term must be between 10 and 20 years, depending on the cost of the upgrade works;
the lease payments to the property owner will based on:
the general terms of social leasing which is set at 80% (85% for apartments) of the current market rental rates in the property location;
a further adjustment to the lease payment to off-set the cost of the repair/upgrade work until the cost of the work has been repaid.
The scope and cost of the works required to meet the Standards, and the recoupment of the works cost through the lease payments, will be agreed between the owner and the local authority/ AHB.
FAQs
For the most up to date information on the maximum value of works allowed under the Repair and Leasing Scheme please see here: https://www.tipperarycoco.ie/housing/repair-and-leasing-scheme/repair-and-leasing-initiative
The scheme was initially piloted in Carlow County Council and Waterford City and County Council from 6 October 2016. The scheme was extended to all local authorities in February and is now available nationwide. Property owners interested in the scheme should contact their local authority for more information
All properties that are leased under the Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) must be furnished and include certain appliances. Market rent is typically agreed on the basis of a furnished property. The furnishings and appliances provided within a property are a factor in agreeing the market rent level. The cost of providing the necessary furniture may be included in the ceiling cost of €40,000 subject to agreement with the local authority on what furniture is required, appropriate costs and evidence of purchase receipts. In some cases where works are being carried out by a contractor it may be possible to request a "furniture pack” as part of the contract.
The list below is an indicative guide to the furniture that is required:
All rooms or parts of the property must have an appropriate floor covering. All windows should have appropriate window coverings e.g. blinds and/or curtains.
Each bathroom/en-suite should include a bathroom cabinet and the shower unit should have an adequate shower screen. Floor coverings should be water resistant.
Each bedroom should include an appropriate sized bed for that room. Each bed should include a minimum of a bed base and a mattress. One wardrobe (integrated or free standing) per room should be provided as a minimum.
The dining area should have a table and an adequate number of chairs to suit the expected occupancy level. The living area should include a minimum of a suite of furniture appropriate to the room size.
The kitchen should include the following items as a minimum:
A cooker/oven and 4 ring hob
Fridge-freezer unit or separate fridge and freezer
Washing Machine(a dryer may also be required in some circumstances)
Cooker hood or an extractor fan.
Owners of houses or apartments that have been vacant for at least one year and which require an amount of repairs to bring the property to the required standard for rented properties should contact their local authority and express an interest in the scheme
As part of the implementation of Rebuilding Ireland, €140m million has been allocated towards the cost of funding the necessary repairs to properties out to 2021. €32m has been made available for 2017 with a target of 800 properties.
The Repair and Leasing Scheme is a key action under Pillar 5 (Utilise Existing Housing) of Rebuilding Ireland, which will have a significant impact on our accelerated delivery of social housing. Over the course of the next five years, 3,500 properties are targeted to be brought into social housing use under the scheme. The profile for 2017 has been increased from 150 to 800 units.
The local authority/AHB will agree with the property owner on a case by case basis what the appropriate offset period will be. These arrangements may include scenarios whereby the offset is by way of a rent-free period; a consistent reduction over the duration of the lease or a term which is scaled against the duration of the lease as in the table below.
The local authority/AHB will agree with the property owner on a case by case basis what the appropriate offset period will be.
Under the long term leasing arrangement the property can be sold by the property owner during the term, on the condition that the lease agreement is transferred to the new owner and the local authority or AHB is notified in advance.
