Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2018
578. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the Housing Agency will review the discount of the market price in a mortgage to rent application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51777/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme introduced in 2012 is targeted at those households in mortgage arrears who have had their mortgage position deemed unsustainable by their lender under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), who agree to the voluntary surrender of their home and who have very limited options, if any, to meet their long-term housing needs themselves. In addition, the household must be deemed eligible for social housing support and the property must meet certain eligibility criteria.
I am not in a position to comment on any particular case nor would it be appropriate for me to do so. The reasons why a case may not have progressed are varied and can depend on the lender, the property, the household and the financial viability of the purchase of the property by an Approved Housing Body (AHB). The decision to purchase a property under the MTR scheme must make commercial sense for an AHB. I cannot compel any AHB to purchase a particular property at a particular price nor can I compel a lender to sell a particular property at a particular price. Where MTR is not an option, it will be a matter for the borrower to discuss with their lender if there are other options available to resolve their mortgage arrears situation.
The Abhaile service, formally launched by the Government in 2016, is a national mortgage arrears resolution service, provided free of charge to the borrower and its aim is to help mortgage holders in arrears to find the best solutions and keep them, wherever possible, in their own homes. The unique element of Abhaile is that it brings together, for the first time, the full range of supports and services required by borrowers in home mortgage arrears. A dedicated adviser will work with the borrower and their lender to find the best solution for their particular situation. The Money Advice and Budgetary Service (MABS) acts as the gateway for the service and can be contacted by telephoning (076)1072000 or by accessing their website at: www.mabs.ie/abhaile.
