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dublin15 · 16-10-2006, 19:26

Thanks will keep you posted!!

inigo · 17-10-2006, 20:30

Hi all,

Can I hijack the thread? I've got a few questions about Affordable Housing after all. Feel free to move it... Here we go.

I have seen a common application form for all councils. Would it be better to apply this way (instead of to each council individually) in terms of having a better chance to get something, decide later? Any reasons why I should choose any of the options?

Also it'd be the girlfriend as applicant 1. She was probably earning just about enough to be eligible but her contract has improved a lot this year. Would the fact that it is last year's income they take into account result in a straight rejection or would she be interviewed and then say she's got a higher income and would have no probs to repay the mortgage?

It's also possible she could earn "too much" this year to be eligible and that's when I would come into play. I haven't been working full-time strictly speaking. I'm still a full-time student but my grant run out more than a year ago. This means that appart from the little money I got last year I never got a P60. I am working part-time at the moment though and could contribute to the mortgage. So would it be better to apply jointly? Could we actually do it if we're not married?

We both have (or have had) a saving record (although mine on a student grant would seem pretty laughable!). We have been in rented accomodation for the last 4 years or so (same place) and never missed a payment (standing order).

I know, lots of questions! I would apreciate any help though. Thanks a lot!!

johnjay · 17-10-2006, 21:20

Common application form: I have no idea. I applied to the councils on their individual forms before the new single form came out, I haven’t even seen it!

Your girlfriends income will be based on last years P60 (which would have ran from Jan to Dec 2005). I'm not sure what happens if she is just below the limit - they may let it through. If not, you can always wait till Jan 2007 to apply, and then you will be looking at 2006's P60.

The will look favourably on her new increased income to help with repayments. The lady in SDCC calculated my "ability to pay" by taking the figure that I had earned this year "Year to date" from my last payslip, subtracting my PAYE and PRSI "YTD", dividing it by the number of months so far in this year, and using this figure in a table to see what I could afford to pay back. So, in other words, the more your girlfriend has been paid so far this year, the better that figure will be.

I'd say you should apply jointly. I don’t see any reason why not, plus it will bring down your average income. You will also have a better chance of getting a 2+ bedroom place, single people may get a 1 bed.

No, you don’t have to be married.

If you have a savings record and a good rent-history, then good. The dont seem to mind loans, but big credit card bills and overdrafts are a no-no. SDCC even made me write to my bank and cancel my over-draft eventhough it has never been very substantial.

I must say that I found both Fingal and South Dublin Co Co VERY helpful during my interviews. You should give them a call with any questions you may have. SDCC also have a walk-in office in Tallaght where you can visit and talk to one of their staff.

Hope this helps

J

inigo · 17-10-2006, 21:30

Excellent stuff J. Thank you very much!

PS: http://www.affordablehome.ie/uploads...ion%20form.pdf

inigo · 18-10-2006, 12:58

The application for DCC is gone... I finally put both our names. Fingers crossed now! Thanks again for the advice!!

johnjay · 20-10-2006, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by dublin15

Thanks will keep you posted!!

Any news yet, Dublin15?

dublin15 · 22-10-2006, 16:46

went to have a look.Was very nice however they were all gone and we were put on a cancellation list.A bit crappy when you get your hopes up.Its just a matter of waiting now...........

johnjay · 22-10-2006, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by dublin15

went to have a look.Was very nice however they were all gone and we were put on a cancellation list.A bit crappy when you get your hopes up.Its just a matter of waiting now...........

Ah Crap!

What sort of place was it?

**Stephen P** · 25-10-2006, 14:15

Just thought I'd share my experience with being on the Affordable Housing list.
I'm on the SDCC list since March '06. Myself and my girlfriend were told that we would be waiting a maximum of 10 months, so that would mean we would hear by Jan. '07. SDCC's area is divided into 2 area's, the Naas Road is the dividing line. So when applying you can choose both sides of the Naas Road or just one. We picked the North of Naas Road (Lucan, Clondalkin, Palmerstown & Newcastle). Lucan & Clondalkin are 2 that seem to have the most properties but at the moment there's not much being built so I can't see it being 10 months before we're offered somewhere, I'd reckon 12 months maybe more. Adamstown will have some Affordable Housing Units, which I heard will be available early next year but I have my doubts about that. SDCC have a scheme under Sustaining Progress which closed last Friday, that scheme will be like a lottery but it's totally different to the normal Affordable Housing Scheme that SDCC have. You have to apply to that separately and that mortgage if you're successful is given by a bank, whereas under the normal scheme the council give you the mortgage. My girlfriend changed jobs within the past few weeks so we wouldn't have qualified for that scheme. But if you change jobs after you've been accepted on the normal scheme that doesn't matter.

underpants · 26-10-2006, 12:32

Most of the affordable housing schemes ask to see a record of savings?? They want to see 3 consecutive months where you've saved 650 euro a month and you have to continue on saving at least that amount until your offered a place.
Doesn't anyone know anything about this or have any experience dealing with the councils and not having records showing that much saving??
I could start saving that much now but then that would mean I couldn't apply for another 3 months, or can I just apply now and start saving that amount from now and that would be enough to cover me?
help!

podge018 · 26-10-2006, 13:41

Okay, im not sure if you're asking a question, or know it all already but here's the facts.

With your application you need to show proof of the last 3 months savings of €650. You need to carry on this saving until you are approved, and if you are approved you need to carry on saving until you get offered a house and are up for final loan approval.

underpants · 26-10-2006, 14:12

so basically its a waste of time applying now if I havent saved at least 650 a month for the last 3 months?
Even if I start saving straight away and prove that I can afford 650 a month and have no bills/loans/other payments that would mean I couldn't afford 650 a month, its not good enough?

podge018 · 26-10-2006, 14:20

Here's what it says:

 Evidence of a savings record in the sum of €650/€750 per month over a 3 month period prior to application. This level of savings must be maintained until Final Loan Approval issues. In the case of applicants living in the family home and paying “Keep”, this is not reckonable as part of a savings record.
 Rent may be taken into account as part of a savings record if there is proof of rent i.e. Standing Order and/or Lease Agreement. In addition, an adequate savings record is required at time of application.

So unless you have proof of 3 months prior to application, no, there's no point applying as your application would be ineligible. As it would be if you don't include anything else that's requested on the checklist.

inigo · 26-10-2006, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by podge018

Rent may be taken into account as part of a savings record if there is proof of rent i.e. Standing Order and/or Lease Agreement.

This can save us. We've been paying over €1000 rent every month for the last 3 years or so! Standing order too...

jdivision · 26-10-2006, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by inigo

This can save us. We've been paying over €1000 rent every month for the last 3 years or so! Standing order too...

SSIA payments also count

17-10-2006, 21:30	#49
inigo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 318 Adverts \| Friends	Excellent stuff J. Thank you very much! PS: http://www.affordablehome.ie/uploads...ion%20form.pdf Last edited by inigo; 17-10-2006 at 21:46.

25-10-2006, 14:15	#54
Stephen P Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Behind the lens Posts: 1,648 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Stuttering & Stammering & Speech Disorder	My Affordable Housing Experience Just thought I'd share my experience with being on the Affordable Housing list. I'm on the SDCC list since March '06. Myself and my girlfriend were told that we would be waiting a maximum of 10 months, so that would mean we would hear by Jan. '07. SDCC's area is divided into 2 area's, the Naas Road is the dividing line. So when applying you can choose both sides of the Naas Road or just one. We picked the North of Naas Road (Lucan, Clondalkin, Palmerstown & Newcastle). Lucan & Clondalkin are 2 that seem to have the most properties but at the moment there's not much being built so I can't see it being 10 months before we're offered somewhere, I'd reckon 12 months maybe more. Adamstown will have some Affordable Housing Units, which I heard will be available early next year but I have my doubts about that. SDCC have a scheme under Sustaining Progress which closed last Friday, that scheme will be like a lottery but it's totally different to the normal Affordable Housing Scheme that SDCC have. You have to apply to that separately and that mortgage if you're successful is given by a bank, whereas under the normal scheme the council give you the mortgage. My girlfriend changed jobs within the past few weeks so we wouldn't have qualified for that scheme. But if you change jobs after you've been accepted on the normal scheme that doesn't matter.

26-10-2006, 12:32	#55
underpants Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 191 Adverts \| Friends	Savings??? Most of the affordable housing schemes ask to see a record of savings?? They want to see 3 consecutive months where you've saved 650 euro a month and you have to continue on saving at least that amount until your offered a place. Doesn't anyone know anything about this or have any experience dealing with the councils and not having records showing that much saving?? I could start saving that much now but then that would mean I couldn't apply for another 3 months, or can I just apply now and start saving that amount from now and that would be enough to cover me? help!

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16-10-2006, 19:26	#46
dublin15 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 48 Adverts \| Friends	Thanks will keep you posted!!

17-10-2006, 20:30	#47
inigo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 318 Adverts \| Friends	Hi all, Can I hijack the thread? I've got a few questions about Affordable Housing after all. Feel free to move it... Here we go. I have seen a common application form for all councils. Would it be better to apply this way (instead of to each council individually) in terms of having a better chance to get something, decide later? Any reasons why I should choose any of the options? Also it'd be the girlfriend as applicant 1. She was probably earning just about enough to be eligible but her contract has improved a lot this year. Would the fact that it is last year's income they take into account result in a straight rejection or would she be interviewed and then say she's got a higher income and would have no probs to repay the mortgage? It's also possible she could earn "too much" this year to be eligible and that's when I would come into play. I haven't been working full-time strictly speaking. I'm still a full-time student but my grant run out more than a year ago. This means that appart from the little money I got last year I never got a P60. I am working part-time at the moment though and could contribute to the mortgage. So would it be better to apply jointly? Could we actually do it if we're not married? We both have (or have had) a saving record (although mine on a student grant would seem pretty laughable!). We have been in rented accomodation for the last 4 years or so (same place) and never missed a payment (standing order). I know, lots of questions! I would apreciate any help though. Thanks a lot!!

17-10-2006, 21:20	#48
johnjay Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 120 Adverts \| Friends	Common application form: I have no idea. I applied to the councils on their individual forms before the new single form came out, I haven’t even seen it! Your girlfriends income will be based on last years P60 (which would have ran from Jan to Dec 2005). I'm not sure what happens if she is just below the limit - they may let it through. If not, you can always wait till Jan 2007 to apply, and then you will be looking at 2006's P60. The will look favourably on her new increased income to help with repayments. The lady in SDCC calculated my "ability to pay" by taking the figure that I had earned this year "Year to date" from my last payslip, subtracting my PAYE and PRSI "YTD", dividing it by the number of months so far in this year, and using this figure in a table to see what I could afford to pay back. So, in other words, the more your girlfriend has been paid so far this year, the better that figure will be. I'd say you should apply jointly. I don’t see any reason why not, plus it will bring down your average income. You will also have a better chance of getting a 2+ bedroom place, single people may get a 1 bed. No, you don’t have to be married. If you have a savings record and a good rent-history, then good. The dont seem to mind loans, but big credit card bills and overdrafts are a no-no. SDCC even made me write to my bank and cancel my over-draft eventhough it has never been very substantial. I must say that I found both Fingal and South Dublin Co Co VERY helpful during my interviews. You should give them a call with any questions you may have. SDCC also have a walk-in office in Tallaght where you can visit and talk to one of their staff. Hope this helps J

18-10-2006, 12:58	#50
inigo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 318 Adverts \| Friends	The application for DCC is gone... I finally put both our names. Fingers crossed now! Thanks again for the advice!!

22-10-2006, 16:46	#52
dublin15 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 48 Adverts \| Friends	went to have a look.Was very nice however they were all gone and we were put on a cancellation list.A bit crappy when you get your hopes up.Its just a matter of waiting now...........

26-10-2006, 13:41	#56
podge018 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,240 Adverts \| Friends	Okay, im not sure if you're asking a question, or know it all already but here's the facts. With your application you need to show proof of the last 3 months savings of €650. You need to carry on this saving until you are approved, and if you are approved you need to carry on saving until you get offered a house and are up for final loan approval.

26-10-2006, 14:12	#57
underpants Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 191 Adverts \| Friends	so basically its a waste of time applying now if I havent saved at least 650 a month for the last 3 months? Even if I start saving straight away and prove that I can afford 650 a month and have no bills/loans/other payments that would mean I couldn't afford 650 a month, its not good enough?

26-10-2006, 14:20	#58
podge018 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,240 Adverts \| Friends	Here's what it says:  Evidence of a savings record in the sum of €650/€750 per month over a 3 month period prior to application. This level of savings must be maintained until Final Loan Approval issues. In the case of applicants living in the family home and paying “Keep”, this is not reckonable as part of a savings record.  Rent may be taken into account as part of a savings record if there is proof of rent i.e. Standing Order and/or Lease Agreement. In addition, an adequate savings record is required at time of application. So unless you have proof of 3 months prior to application, no, there's no point applying as your application would be ineligible. As it would be if you don't include anything else that's requested on the checklist.