- Each What will happen as a result of my complaint regarding Anti Social Behaviour?
- What will happen now after Offenders have been interviewed regarding Anti Social Behaviour?
- Who made the complaint regarding Anti Social Behaviour?
- Will my name be given out as being the person who made the complaint about Anti Social Behaviour?
- Why is the rest of the family being punished as a result of Anti Social Behaviour ?
- My garden is a mess will the Council clean it up for me?
- Who is classified as homeless?
- Is there any assistance available to me to buy a house should I decide to move from a house provided by a voluntary housing body?
- How do I succeed to Tenancy?
- How can I get extra points?
- Why is LCC unable to let existing empty housing stock?
- When will an offer of accommodation be made?
- What age must an applicant be to be considered for Senior Citizen/ Older Persons accommodation?
- Do Laois County Council have a policy of vetting all prospective tenants?
- How do I apply for housing?
- Can I include my brother/sister on my application?
- Where can I get a housing application form?
- Will I lose points if I move address?
- Where do I submit a housing application form?
- What happens after the housing inspection?
- When will the housing inspector call?
- What is my present position on the Housing List?
- Where will I get my house purchase loan?
- Can I get help with my Housing Loan monthly repayments?
- What about legal fees and do I need my own Solicitor for a Housing Loan?
- Can I have a statement of my account/interest statement on my Shared Ownership Loan, Home Improvement Loan or Mortgage with Laois County Council
- What happens if I already have loan approval from Laois County Council?
- Must I be employed to be considered for a loan from Laois County Council?
- How do I get my partner’s/husband’s name added to/removed from my loan account with Laois County Council?
- Over what period of time must I repay a loan from LCC?
- What are the different types of House Purchase Loans?
- How is the house purchase financed?
- Am I entitled to any other grants or subsidies?
- Do I have to pay for maintenance repairs?
- When will my repairs be done?
- What does “points” mean with regards to housing/accommodation?
- Can I include my children on my Housing application (separation case)?
- How do I apply for a Transfer?
- Can I swap my dwelling with another tenant?
- How are Transfer requests assessed?
- Am I entitled to make any changes I want to my house/flat?
- Does the Local Authority have to put the house in good structural condition before I purchase it?
- Are there restrictions on the use/resale of the house?
- How much will my local authority house cost to buy?
- When can I apply to buy my local authority house?
- Who is responsible for the maintenance after purchase?
- Am I required to pay stamp duty when purchasing my local authority house?
- Do tenant purchasers qualify for tax relief?
- Can I buy a local authority house with a family member?
- What is the Mortgage Allowance Scheme?
- What is covered by mortgage protection?
- Is my mortgage covered by Mortgage Protection?
- Is Mortgage Protection included in my monthly loan repayment?
1) What will happen as a result of my complaint regarding Anti Social Behaviour
We will investigate all complaints of anti-social behaviour within 14 days and we will contact the complainant regarding the outcome.
2) What will happen now after Offenders have been interviewed regarding Anti Social Behaviour
The situation will be monitored and a big improvement (in behaviour) is expected. If there is no improvement, we will write out to the offender. Hopefully, that will not be necessary.
3) Who made the complaint regarding Anti Social Behaviour?
We do not divulge that information. All information is received in strict confidence.
4) Will my name be given out as being the person who made the complaint about Anti Social Behaviour?
No.
5) Why is the rest of the family being punished as a result of Anti Social Behaviour ?
The tenant is responsible for the behaviour of his or her family and their friends and all visitors to the dwelling.
6) My garden is a mess will the Council clean it up for me?
No. You are responsible for the upkeep of the garden (as well as the dwelling), and also for the laneway or walkway adjoining your dwelling. Gardens should be maintained in a neat and tidy condition to ensure that the external appearance does not detract from the visual amenity of the neighbourhood.
7) Who is classified as homeless?
A person who is living in emergency accommodation which is provided by the Health Board.
8) Is there any assistance available to me to buy a house should I decide to move from a house provided by a voluntary housing body?
Yes. Under the Rental Subsidy Scheme tenants for more than one year, who return their houses to the voluntary housing body qualify for the same range of benefits available to local authority tenants returning their houses.
9) How do I succeed to Tenancy?
Call into the counter to complete the application form. You will be contacted regarding the outcome.
10) How can I get extra points?
The only way the extra points may be gained is if there is a change in your living circumstances. Medical points have now been abolished. Applicants may still be considered for overall priority status and applicants who were awarded points on Medical Grounds and Welfare Grounds will continue to hold them
11) Why is Laois County Council unable to let existing empty housing stock?
Some vacancies may be in complexes which are due for refurbishment or regeneration, so are not for re-letting. Other vacancies may be in need of repair by the Maintenance Department before they can be re-let.
12) When will an offer of accommodation be made?
It is not possible to determine as points regularly change for different areas. Medical, Welfare and Homeless cases are given greater consideration.
13) What age must an applicant be to be considered for Senior Citizen/Older Persons accommodation?
Applicant – 55 years/50 or over with Medical or Welfare Priority. Spouse/Partner – 50 years
14) Do Laois County Council have a policy of vetting all prospective tenants?
Yes. In accordance with Section 14(1) and 15(2) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 all applicants who apply for housing and who are being considered for an allocation of a tenancy will have their application examined on estate management grounds before an allocation is finally made.
15) How do I apply for housing?
Complete application form and provide the relevant supporting documentation. The documents required are detailed in the application pack.
16) Can I include my brother/sister on my application?
Not usually – people can apply in their own right if over 18 years. Carers or adoptive parents will be looked on favourably.
17) Where can I get a housing application form?
Application Forms are available from the Housing Department, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Application Forms may also be available by post if requested or downloaded on www.laois.ie.
18) Will I lose points if I move address?
A new assessment will have to be done and based on your new housing circumstances, points may be awarded or lost.
19) Where do I submit a housing application form?
Completed application forms must be returned to Housing Department, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
20) What happens after the housing inspection?
The Environmental Health Officer will visit your premises within 4-6 weeks from date of application. Appointments are not arranged
21) When will the housing inspector call?
The Environmental Health Officer will visit your premises within 4-6 weeks from date of application. Appointments are not arranged
22) What is my present position on the Housing List?
The points you are have been awarded determine your position on the Housing List.
23) Where will I get my house purchase loan?
You must get your house purchase loan from Laois County Council (certain age limits apply).
24 ) Can I get help with my Housing Loan monthly repayments?
Yes. If you have a combined household income of less than €25,500p.a. in the previous tax year, then you will qualify for a subsidy which reduces the monthly repayments for either a Shared Ownership Loan of Annuity Loan. This subsidy will last as long as the household income remains under €25,500p.a.
25) What about legal fees and do I need my own Solicitor for a Housing Loan?
Laois County Council will provide the necessary legal services when you purchase an Affordable Housing property, and the cost of this can be added to your mortgage. You will be advised of the amount of these fees at the time of purchase. However purchasers are advised to seek some independent legal advice in relation to the purchase.
26) Can I have a statement of my account/interest statement on my Shared Ownership Loan, Home Improvement Loan or Mortgage with Laois County Council?
If you contact the Accounts Section, Loans Sales & Grants and provide your name, address and account number, a statement will be posted out to you.
27) What happens if I already have loan approval from Laois County Council?
If you currently hold a valid provisional loan approval issued by Laois County Council then you may use this loan approval to purchase your affordable home. You will be asked to supply your reference number and date of approval on your application form for Affordable Housing.
28) Must I be employed to be considered for a loan from Laois County Council?
At least one of the proposed purchasers I.e. the principal earner must be in full-time employment for at least one year. Due to mortgage protection restrictions the principal earner must be less than 55 years of age at the time of application.
29) How do I get my partner’s/husband’s name added/removed from my loan account with Laois County Council?
In the case of adding a name you must go to a Solicitor. In the case of removing a name a copy of the death cert/copy of Land Registry Folio will suffice.
30) Over what period of time must I repay a loan from Laois County Council?
The normal term of the loan is 30 yrs. As the loan must be paid off by you 65th birthday the number of years over which the loan must be repaid is determined by your age at the time of application.
31) What are the different types of House Purchase Loans?
Please see Local Authority Home Loans
32) How is the house purchase financed?
By means of either a loan from Laois County Council, from an Independent lending institution e.g. bank or building society or through a cash purchase.
33) Am I entitled to any other grants or subsidies?
If you are obtaining an Annuity Loan and you are a tenant or tenant purchaser of a Local Authority of a tenant of a Voluntary Housing Association and you are surrendering your property, you may qualify for a Mortgage Allowance.
34) Do I have to pay for maintenance repairs?
Where the damage is caused by the tenant or anyone residing with the tenant, and Laois County Council carries out the necessary repairs, the tenant shall pay the cost of the said repairs to Laois County Council.
35) When will my repairs be done?
Laois County Council deals with a huge number of repairs on a daily basis, and we try to respond to all repair requests as quickly as possible. Every effort will be made to ensure that your repair is completed without unnecessary delay. Routine repairs will be dealt with within 8 weeks, urgent repairs will be dealt with within 5 days, and emergency repairs will be dealt with immediately.
36) What does “points” mean with regards to housing/accommodation?
Applicants who are considered in need of housing are awarded points under the various categories i.e.. Overcrowding; bedroom shortage etc in accordance with the “Revised Scheme of Letting Priorities”.
37) Can I include my children on my Housing application (separation case)?
Where there is a Separation Agreement (or sworn affidavit) showing custody/overnight access, the children can be included on application for points purposes. This entitles the applicant to be considered for an apartment only – max two bedrooms.
38) How do I apply for a Transfer?
When you are a tenant for over five years and your rent account is up to date you may apply in writing to the Housing Officer, giving reasons for requesting a transfer and stating your preferred transfer option.
39) Can I swap my dwelling with another tenant?
People with equal demand accommodation may apply for an Inter-Transfer, in writing, to the Housing Officer.
40) How are Transfer requests assessed?
Each request is assessed on its merits. Additional supporting documentation may be submitted with your request e.g. medical evidence.
41) Am I entitled to make any changes I want to my house/flat?
You cannot make any alterations or additions to your house of flat until you get the agreement of the Housing Maintenance Section. We are usually happy to agree to them but they must be checked out first. You may also need planning permission for certain works.
42) Does the Local Authority have to put the house in good structural condition before I purchase it?
No. The sale price of the house will reflect its existing state of repair and condition. The local Authority is under no obligation to put any house being purchased into good structural condition prior to sale. No warranty by the Local Authority shall apply, or be deemed to be implied, as to the state of repair or condition, or the fitness for human habitation of any house sold under the sales scheme.
43) Are there restrictions on the use/resale of the house?
Yes. The house must, unless the Local Authority otherwise allow, be occupied as a normal place of residence by the purchaser, the purchasers family or successor in title. If you wish to sell the house within a period of 20 years from the date of purchase or before you have acquired full ownership, you must get the consent of the Local Authority.
44) How much will my local authority house cost to buy?
Laois County Council values the property in its existing state of repair and at current market value. The tenant may appeal this valuation figure. A discount of 3% of this figure is then made for each year is then made for each year of tenancy subject to a maximum of 10 yrs i.e. 30%. A further discount of €3,810 is then applied and that is the purchase price of the house.
45) When can I apply to buy my local authority house?
You can apply if you have been a tenant of a local authority or a Voluntary Housing Association for one year.
46) Who is responsible for the maintenance after purchase?
Like all homeowners, you will be fully responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of your house from the date you sign the purchase agreement with Laois County Council.
47) Am I required to pay stamp duty when purchasing my local authority house?
No
48) Do tenant purchasers qualify for tax relief?
Yes. You may qualify for the usual income tax relief on mortgage interest. Your local Inspector of Taxes will give you full details.
49) Can I buy a local authority house with a family member?
Yes. If that person is living in the house and has been assessed and included for rent purposes for the previous twelve months. He/she must not be the owner of another property.
50) What is the Mortgage Allowance Scheme?
The Mortgage Allowance Scheme is an allowance given to a tenant or tenant purchasers of a Local Authority or tenants of a Voluntary Housing Association who surrender their properties to purchase a property themselves. Please note: this scheme applies only if you are granted an Annuity Loan and no other subsidies will apply once a Mortgage Allowance has been granted.
51) What is covered by mortgage protection?
The mortgage protection scheme covers the principal earner and subsidiary earner in the event of death and the principal earner only in event of disability or long term illness. It does not cover unemployment or redundancy or illness or injury sustained prior to completion of the property.
52) Is my mortgage covered by Mortgage Protection?
Yes. Applicants who are over the age of 18 and under 55 are covered by mortgage protection.
53) Is Mortgage Protection included in my monthly loan repayment?
This payment is included in your monthly loan repayment.