I propose to take Questions Nos. 1536 and 1605 together.
As with the previous local authority loan offerings, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is available to first-time buyers only. There is no change to this regard. This is to ensure the effective targeting of limited resources.
Applicants who are separated or divorced may be treated as first-time buyers if they meet certain conditions, including:
- They are separated or divorced under a court order or by a separation agreement;
- The property being purchased is the first property since leaving the family home;
- They have left the family home and retain no interest in it; or
- The other party has remained in the family home.
The option currently available for non-first-time buyers is to seek home loan facilities from one of the commercial lending institutions.
Detailed information on the new mortgage is available on the dedicated
www.rebuildingirelandhomeloan.ie
website, or directly from local authorities.
Regarding the credit policy, the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Credit Policy 2018 has been in operation since 1 February 2018. This document replaces the previous Credit Policy issued under Circular HPS 4/2009. The revised credit policy provides written guidance for all local authorities for the processing of loan applications and the making of loans under the Housing (Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans) Regulations 2018, which sets out the regulatory framework for the new Scheme.