This week Q&A answers questions on affordable housing limits and extensions
Affordable housing limits
I understand that there are new thresholds for affordable housing loans but how do I know if I qualify and, if I do, how much can I borrow? And what happens if I sell the house that I bought with such a loan?
New thresholds were announced earlier this month and now the maximum loan that can be advanced has been increased from €130,000 to €165,000. The eligibility limits for applying for the affordable housing and shared ownership schemes have also been reviewed and are now €36,800 for a single income household and €92,000 for a two income household, using the formula of two-and-a-half times the main income and once the second income. The minister extended the period for which local authorities may advance loans from 25 to 30 years. You qualify for the Affordable Housing Scheme if you are in need of housing and your income satisfies the income test; or you are registered on a housing waiting list with a local authority; or you are a local authority tenant or a tenant purchaser and you want to buy a private house and return your present house to the local authority; or you are a tenant for more than one year of a home provided by a housing association under the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme and you want to buy a private house and return your present house to the housing association. The income test only applies to people mentioned in the first point; if you are covered by the second, third or fourth points, you are exempt from the income test. If you sell your house within 20 years, you will have to pay the local authority a percentage of the proceeds of the sale. This percentage is expressed as the percentage difference between the sale price and the market value of the house. This amount will be reduced by 10 per cent each year after you have owned your home for 10 years. So, if you sell your home after 20 years, you will not have to pay anything to the local authority.
Contact your local authority for more information about your specific area or log on to the Government's own information website www.oasis.gov.ie.
A substantial extension
A house on my road sold at auction late last month. As soon as the sold sign went up the builders arrived and proceeded to gut the house and lay the foundations for what looks like a substantial extension. I am absolutely sure that no planning permission was applied for. Is there anything I can do?
Unless the house is a protected structure there is little to prevent a new owner gutting the interior. As for the extension, it could be that planning was already granted some years ago, or that the size of the extension does not require planning permission. An extension to the rear of the house which does not increase the original floor area by more than 40 sq m (430 sq ft) and is not higher than the house does not require planning permission. The extension should not reduce the open space at the back of the house to less than 25 sq m (269 sq ft) which must be reserved for the use of the occupants.
If you are exercised about this, wander up to the house and ask what is going on? If the house is a protected structure and you have conservation issues with the house being tampered with, then get on to the planning department of your local authority.
Send your queries to Property Questions, The Irish Times, 10-16 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 or e-mail propertyquestions@irish-times.ie.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to respond to all questions received. The above is a representative sample of queries received. This column is a readers' service and is not intended to replace professional advice. No individual correspondence will be entered into.