Overview: help with your rent or mortgage

Information

There are a number of supports, as well as sources of advice and help, available to people who are finding it difficult to pay their rent or mortgage.

Financial help

If you are renting your accommodation, you can apply for Rent Supplement. It is paid to people living in private rented accommodation who cannot provide for the cost of their accommodation from their own resources. In general, if your only income is a social welfare or Health Services Executive (HSE) payment, you will qualify for a rent supplement. You will not get Rent Supplement if you or your partner is in full-time employment.

If you own your home, you may be able to apply for a Mortgage Interest Supplement. It provides short-term support to help you pay your mortgage interest repayments. You will only get assistance with the interest portion of your mortgage repayment. You will not get help with the portion that pays off the actual loan.

Under the Rent a room scheme if you rent out a room (or rooms) in your own home to private tenants, the rental income you earn will be exempt from income tax. The rental income must not exceed €10,000 in the tax year. If you are renting the room to your son or daughter you cannot get the tax relief. You do not have to register as a landlord, provide a rent book or ensure that the accommodation provided meets any minimum physical standards.

Losing your home

If you are living in private rented accommodation and your landlord wants you to leave because you have not paid the rent, your landlord has to follow certain procedures before asking you to leave. Notice of termination may only be served on you after you get written notification from your landlord of the amount owing. There is a minimum period of notice you must be given and you can refer any issue with the notice of termination to the Private Residential Tenancies Board.

If you are a local authority tenant or a housing association tenant, and you are falling behind with the rent you should talk to your local authority or housing association. If you fail to do anything about it you can be evicted, provided the correct procedure is followed.

If a lending institution decides to repossess your home because you are unable to pay the mortgage, there are rules and procedures to be followed. Banks and building societies are bound by codes of conduct in relation to people who are having difficulties paying the mortgage. If you have a problem paying your mortgage, you should talk to the lending institution as soon as possible.

Alternative accommodation

Local authorities are the main provider of social housing for people who need housing and cannot afford to buy their own homes. Local authority housing is allocated according to housing need, and rents are based on your ability to pay. If you think you may qualify, you should apply to your local authority.

Housing associations are independent non-profit making organisations that provide rented housing for people who cannot afford to buy their own homes. They are usually formed to relieve a local housing need. Housing association tenants do not have the right to buy their homes.

If you are threatened with homelessness, that is, if you think you may lose your home soon for whatever reason, you should immediately contact your local authority. Depending on your area and your circumstances there may be a range of different support services available, from very temporary assistance to long-term housing.