Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
388. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of delays in land ownership that has seen successful applicants draw down and begin the process of repaying mortgages for the Newton Heights Affordable Housing Scheme in Cork city without receipt of keys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29615/23]
View answerThe closing of the sale of each affordable home on its completion and delivery is a matter between parties to the transaction, who include the individual purchaser, their mortgage provider, and the relevant local authority, in this case Cork City Council, together with their respective legal representatives.
I have been advised by Cork City Council that the parties in this instance have identified an appropriate solution to a conveyancing challenge that has arisen in relation to 8 of the affordable housing units in this affordable housing scheme.
The drawdown of loans is a matter for the purchaser, their advisers and the relevant financial institution.
It may be helpful to note more generally that the Department has issued pro forma legal and conveyancing material to all local authorities, following engagement with key stakeholders including the Law Society, all participating banks, local authorities, the Property Registration Authority and others, which concluded in December 2022. Standardised arrangements and procedures now in place in this way will greatly assist the efficient completion of the legal and conveyancing process as the Affordable Homes delivery programme in place is scaled up in line with the Housing for All commitment to deliver 54,000 affordable homes across a range of measures by 2030.
