Sale of Sites Scheme – Roscommon County Council

Under the Sale of Sites Scheme, a Local Authority may make housing sites available at low cost to assist persons in housing need to provide their own housing. Applicants must be first time buyers and satisfy an income test. The Local Authority decides the cost of the site. The successful applicants purchase the site at a discounted price and must apply for planning permission. There are currently 11 sites available to purchase at Forest View, Boyle.

The building costs may be funded by a mortgage from a bank, building society, or if you are eligible, from a local authority.

Qualifying Criteria

To be eligible for a Low Cost Site you must be:

• A first time buyer and in need of housing and your income satisfies the income test below, or
• A person whose application for local authority housing has been approved by the local authority, or
• A local authority tenant or tenant purchaser who wishes to build a private house and return your present house to the local authority, or
• A member of a co-operative or non-profit housing group of which at least 75% of the members are tenants, tenant purchasers or registered on the Local Authority housing waiting list.

How does the Income Test apply?

Single income household

For a single income household, income must not exceed €40,000 in the previous tax year or multiplied by 2.5 is €100,000 or less.

Two income household

For a two-household income, income must not exceed €100,000 in the previous tax year - multiply the gross income (before tax) of the principal (greater) income in the last income tax year by 2.5 and add the gross income of the subsidiary (lesser) earner in the last income tax year. If the result is €100,000 or less, you are eligible. 

What is the cost of a site?

The local authority will decide the cost depending on a number of factors, e.g. the location of the site.

The cost of each site at Forest View, Boyle is €10,000.

How do I fund my building costs?

The cost of building your house may be met through a conventional mortgage from a bank, building society or your local authority.

Other Options which may be of interest

The Sale of Sites Scheme is specifically intended to be used in conjunction with other housing schemes. The following options are available.

For individuals

• Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan
• Mortgage Allowance Scheme

For voluntary housing bodies

• Voluntary Housing Capital Assistance Scheme
• Voluntary Housing Rental Subsidy Scheme

Can I resell my house?

You may sell your house at any time. However, where a site was originally provided under the Sale of Sites Scheme by the Local Authority at a discount from market value you must refund to the Local Authority a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of your property. The percentage of the proceeds to be repaid will be equal to the percentage discount originally received from the Local Authority. A full refund must be paid if you sell in the first ten years of occupancy. A reduction of 10% per annum is given for each full year of occupancy between 10 and 20 years. After 20 years of full occupancy no refund would be due to the Local Authority on the resale of the property.

How to Apply?

Please print out and complete the Sale of Site Application Form below and return to Housing Business Unit, Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon, or alternatively email housing@roscommoncoco.ie or telephone (090) 66 37100 for an application form.