Housing

Welcome to the Housing Department of Laois County Council.

Housing Services

Housing Schemes

Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS)

Laois County Council can provide financial support to Approved Housing Bodies to build or buy social housing for priority groups such as older people, homeless people or people with disabilities.

Cost Rental Scheme

Laois County Council, together with other agencies, may provide houses to eligible people at lower rents than the private market.

Disabled Persons Grant Scheme

Laois County Council can carry out extensions or adaptations to local authority houses such as grab rails, access ramps, wet rooms or downstairs bedrooms for older tenants or tenants with a disability.

Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme

HAP is a form of social housing support provided by all local authorities. HAP means that local authorities can provide housing assistance for households who qualify for social housing support, including many long-term rent supplement recipients.

Local Authority Home Loan

The Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) is available for people who are unable to obtain sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.  

Mortgage Allowance Scheme

Laois County Council may provide tenants and tenant purchasers a mortgage allowance to help them move from renting to buying or building a private house.

Mortgage to Rent Scheme

Laois County Council can provide assistance to home owners with mortgage arrears who are at risk of losing their home. Home owners can apply to switch from owning their home to renting their home as social housing tenants.

Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS)

Local authorities may assist you in finding accommodation in the private market if you qualify for long term rent supplement and have a qualified housing need. The local authority will pay the landlord and you will pay a rent contribution to the local authority.

Repair and Leasing Scheme

The Repair and Leasing Scheme is an opportunity to bring vacant houses or commercial properties back into use as homes for families and individuals on the social housing waiting list.

Room for a Student

The Room for a Student – Local Authority Tenancies Scheme is a government plan that lets people who rent from Laois County Council rent out a room to college students. They need permission from Laois County Council first.

Tenant Incremental Purchase Scheme

This is a scheme for the purchase of existing local authority houses. If you are a local authority tenant (i.e. a tenant of Laois County Council) living in a Laois County Council house, that is available for sale under the scheme and you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply to purchase your house.

Estate Management

Antisocial Behaviour Control

Laois County Council investigates antisocial behaviour involving Laois County Council tenants. If necessary, they may involve An Garda Síochána (national police).

Estate Enhancement Grant

Laois County Council may provide financial support to residents' associations and community groups to help with the upkeep of estates.

Housing Support

Consent to Sale Certificate

Home owners who purchased their house through a local authority purchase scheme must get permission from the local authority to sell, re-mortgage or transfer their interest in the property for the first time.

Deed of Discharge Certificate

Laois County Council mortgage holders who have paid their mortgage in full can apply to Laois County Council for a certificate to confirm that the property deeds have been transferred.

Demountable Dwellings

Laois County Council may provide demountable dwellings such as prefabs or portacabins to those living in extremely poor conditions.

Housing Needs Assessment

Laois County Council assesses applications for social housing based on housing need. Approved applicants are placed on the housing list which is reviewed each year.

Social Housing Support

Laois County Council provides social housing to you if you qualify and cannot afford to rent or buy your own home.

Tenancy Succession Support

Laois County Council may help someone living with a tenant in a Laois County Council house take over the tenancy if it ends.

Tenancy Support

Laois County Council supports new and existing tenants to successfully manage their tenancy.

Tenancy Surrender Request

Laois County Council considers requests from tenants who no longer want to be local authority tenants.

Vacant Homes Reporting

You can notify Laois County Council about issues with vacant private homes and vacant local authority homes.

Housing Delivery

Long-term Leasing

Laois County Council may lease properties in good condition from property owners for long term social housing.

Part V Acquisition

Laois County Council buys new houses from property developers for social and affordable housing under Part V of the planning laws.

Housing Grants

Homelessness Support

Housing Maintenance

Housing Repairs and Maintenance

Laois County Council takes responsibility for the repair and maintenance of items affecting the structure of our properties and tenants are responsible for other issues, including any and all alterations and additions carried out to the property by themselves (subject to consent).

Housing Thermal Upgrades

Laois County Council will carry out approved energy upgrade works to local authority houses such as cavity or external wall insulation, new windows and doors, central heating and attic insulation.

Voids Management

Laois County Council manage and repair vacant properties before reletting them to prospective tenants.

Statistics and Reports

Housing Reports

Laois County Council may provide reports and information on housing related matters to government departments and other agencies.

Laois County Council Plans

Housing Strategy Consultation

Laois County Council prepare strategies for housing development. You can have an input into these strategies through consultation.

Public Health and Safety

Rents and Mortgages

Mortgage Payment

Local authority mortgage holders must make monthly repayments to the local authority.

Rent Arrears Support

Laois County Council may make a repayment arrangement with tenants who have rent arrears.

Rent Assessment

Laois County Council set rent based on a tenant's income, and it might change during the tenancy. In Laois County Council, rent for all properties follows the Differential Rent Scheme.

Rent Payment

Laois County Council tenants must pay weekly rent to the Laois County Council for their property.

Housing and Building Standards

Private Rented Standards

Laois County Council has a critical public role and duty in ensuring compliance with the standards for rental accommodation through effective inspections and enforcement processes.

Contact this service

Address

Áras an Chontae

James Fintan Lalor Ave,
Kylekiproe,
Portlaoise,
Co. Laois,
R32 EHP9

Opening times

9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).  The offices are closed for lunch between 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm

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