News from South Tipperary and National Issues

Fine Gael Councillor Michael Murphy has welcomed the new Incremental Purchase Scheme which will allow social housing tenants to buy their first home.

“The Incremental Purchase Scheme will allow social housing tenants to purchase their homes from Tipperary County Council at a discount ranging between 40% and 60%, with an incremental charge to be then placed on the house, which is equivalent to the discount,” Cllr Murphy explained.

“Social housing applicants/tenants who are in employment and earning a minimum income of €15,000 per annum are eligible to apply for the Scheme. This is an extremely positive scheme that will help people in social housing to get on the property ladder and purchase their homes.

“However, the new Incremental Purchase Scheme does not however include people who are in houses acquired by the council as part of the Part V social and affordable scheme.

“Currently people who are living in homes acquired by the council, but which are not technically social housing are not included in this scheme. If these tenants have the finance in place and are in a position to purchase, I believe that they too should have the opportunity to buy their home – and I will be working to address this anomaly,” the Councillor concluded.

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