Local Authority/Council Housing
If you are unable to provide accommodation from your own means and wish to be considered for Council housing you should apply to your local Authority to have your housing needs assessed. The Council has ‘a say’ in the allocation of Housing Association properties and they are also involved in the assessment process for other social housing supports; E.G Rent Supplement, Housing Assistance Payment – HAP. Therefore, if you are seeking any form of social housing support, it is advisable to register with the relevant Council as soon as possible.
Housing Supports for Homeless People
Sadly, there is very limited availability to housing and supports for people presenting as homeless in Ireland at present. You would be very ill advised to arrive in Ireland without having the means to secure accommodation for yourself or the possibility of staying with friends or family. All of the major towns and cities have significant numbers of homeless people either sleeping rough, in hostels or bed and breakfast accommodation. Councils will try to secure some form of temporary or emergency accommodation, however unsuitable, for families who are homeless. However due to lack of funding, single people or childless couples are likely to have very few options available to them unless they can secure hostel accommodation.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/losing_your_home/housing_options_for_homeless_people.html
Home Ownership
If you are looking to buy a property in Ireland, the following websites will give you a good indication of what is available in your price range on a county by county basis;
www.daft.ie www.myhome.ie www.ipav.ie
The following will also be useful resources: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/owning_a_home/buying_a_home/steps_involved_buying_a_home.html
Or : www.consumerhelp.ie/buying-a-home-step-by-step-guide
Stamp Duty: Stamp duty applies to residential property such as houses or apartments. It is also payable on non-residential property, that is, land or housing sites without residential buildings.
Rates:
| Property value |
Rate |
| Up to €1,000,000 |
1% |
| Balance |
2% |
Exceptions: For people buying their homes under local authority tenant purchase and similar schemes, a maximum amount of €100 is charged. There is no stamp duty payable on certain transfers between spouses, civil partners and cohabitants
For additional/detailed information, talk to your solicitor or contact: National Stamp Duty Office, New Stamping Building, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2 Email: dublinstamp@revenue.ie
Renting in the private sector
Rents in the private sector can be very expensive, particularly in towns and cities. In rural areas, which have large numbers of tourists during the summer, you may be able to find accommodation for a reasonable rent during the ‘off peak season’.
In rural areas where there are few tourists you may be able to find accommodation all year around at a reasonable rent. The quality of privately rented accommodation can vary so much it would be wise to view before agreeing to take any such property. You should insist on a tenancy agreement, as this will offer you a degree of protection. Some local newspapers advertise properties available to rent. However, the vast majority of tenancies are now advertised online. The following websites are also a good gauge of what is available and price ranges:
www.daft.ie www.myhome.ie
