2017-21 help to buy scheme - megathread. All help to buy discussion here please

GingerLily · 02-05-2021 7:12pm

astefulj wrote: »

Hi all,

Just a quick question. So basically, me and my partner are looking to buy a new build house for 200,000€. We already have 10% or 20,000€ for a deposit (a bit more for legal fees etc).

Can we still apply for a Help to Buy scheme?
We are working for years, no break, a lot of taxes paid.

Just wanted to ask if they can top up on our deposit so we can take out a lower mortgage then? So let's say they top up for 20,000 and with our 20,000 that's 40k or 160,000 mortgage instead of 180,000.

Thanks for help and enjoy bank holiday weekend...

Yes, as long as your mortgage is at least 70% LTV you can use the HTB.

We paid the 10% ourselves and the contractor took the HTB at completion / same time as the mortgage was drawdown

astefulj · 02-05-2021 7:29pm

GingerLily wrote: »

Yes, as long as your mortgage is at least 70% LTV you can use the HTB.

We paid the 10% ourselves and the contractor took the HTB at completion / same time as the mortgage was drawdown

Thanks for your reply.

Jasna1982 · 02-05-2021 10:35pm

astefulj wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

Make sure though that it’s a new build from a qualifying developer. If you’re buying a new build that a private person built you wouldn’t qualify. There is a list of builders you can find on the Revenue site I believe.

Klopp · 04-05-2021 9:05pm

The revenue got back to me on my joint HTB and said there is no record of e-form 12 income tax returns for 2019/20. I now need to submit an e-form 12 for tax returns. I am PAYE - anyone any idea and why they need this and what i need to do?

elchupanebrey · 05-05-2021 4:19pm

I signed contracts a couple of weeks ago and submitted them along with mortgage paperwork to revenue, as I thought this is what my solicitor advised.

Now he has sent me the contracts in pdf form signed by the contractor to submit to revenue. Presumably the contractor couldn't use the codes to claim I sent them as they hadn't signed the contract I sent in to revenue.

I am guessing I will have to cancel my current claim and go through the entire process again. There should be no issues doing this I hope.

Klopp · 06-05-2021 11:54am

Our application for the HTB was finally approved. I guess the real fun is only beginning.

C14N · 06-05-2021 12:10pm

Klopp wrote: »

Our application for the HTB was finally approved. I guess the real fun is only beginning.

Did you get an email notification of this btw? I'm not sure whether its worth while signing in and checking it regularly if I will get some notification about it anyway when its done.

Klopp · 06-05-2021 12:19pm

C14N wrote: »

Did you get an email notification of this btw? I'm not sure whether its worth while signing in and checking it regularly if I will get some notification about it anyway when its done.

Yes, anytime I have submitted a query on the ROS or for our HTB application, I always receive a notification by email when they respond and only then I would log in on the ROS to check. I would double-check your account and make sure your email address is correct if you haven't received any notifications before.

Klopp · 06-05-2021 12:22pm

elchupanebrey wrote: »

I signed contracts a couple of weeks ago and submitted them along with mortgage paperwork to revenue, as I thought this is what my solicitor advised.

Now he has sent me the contracts in pdf form signed by the contractor to submit to revenue. Presumably the contractor couldn't use the codes to claim I sent them as they hadn't signed the contract I sent in to revenue.

I am guessing I will have to cancel my current claim and go through the entire process again. There should be no issues doing this I hope.

I would cancel and resubmit if incorrect forms submitted, it is only going to delay you further if you wait.

elchupanebrey · 06-05-2021 9:07pm

Klopp wrote: »

I would cancel and resubmit if incorrect forms submitted, it is only going to delay you further if you wait.

Cancelled it there and went to reapply. I was able to go straight to claim stage again, this time uploading signed documents. Reference number is the same as the original one I had

Klopp · 06-05-2021 9:10pm

elchupanebrey wrote: »

Cancelled it there and went to reapply. I was able to go straight to claim stage again, this time uploading signed documents. Reference number is the same as the original one I had

That's great, better to cancel and upload the correct documents.

RacoonQueen · 11-05-2021 8:22pm

Got my approval through today for max amount. It was sitting there for weeks and I mailed them at the weekend after seeing advice either here or facebook, quick turnaround from the mail.
I knew I'd get it obviously but still great to have it actually confirmed.

elchupanebrey · 13-05-2021 6:11pm

elchupanebrey wrote: »

Cancelled it there and went to reapply. I was able to go straight to claim stage again, this time uploading signed documents. Reference number is the same as the original one I had

Turns out the builder can't claim the HTB after all. Bit annoying. I'm just seeing an error in my HTB claim. Has anyone an idea how long it takes revenue to reply to my enquiries, or would I be better ringing tomorrow?

RacoonQueen · 16-05-2021 7:58am

elchupanebrey wrote: »

Turns out the builder can't claim the HTB after all. Bit annoying. I'm just seeing an error in my HTB claim. Has anyone an idea how long it takes revenue to reply to my enquiries, or would I be better ringing tomorrow?

I sent an online enquire last weekend and my HTB approval was through by Tuesday lunchtime so that's all it took for them to 'reply' to enquiry. Depends on the issue I guess.

16-05-2021 8:26pm

Sorry guys if this has been asked a million times before. Got approved for HTB back in March. I'm at a stage now where I need to make a claim for it. Although the house won't be ready until November of this year (new development) I do have a copy of the signed contract which was signed last week. What else do I need to submit at claim stage? Would proof of mortgage approval be enough or do they need proof if the letter of offer from the bank? Also what other documents would I need to submit please

Creamy Goodness · 17-05-2021 10:40am

offalyandroid wrote: »

Sorry guys if this has been asked a million times before. Got approved for HTB back in March. I'm at a stage now where I need to make a claim for it. Although the house won't be ready until November of this year (new development) I do have a copy of the signed contract which was signed last week. What else do I need to submit at claim stage? Would proof of mortgage approval be enough or do they need proof if the letter of offer from the bank? Also what other documents would I need to submit please

letter of offer and signed contracts by both parties is all that's required for the claim stage.

bogwalrus · 22-05-2021 7:34am

I just made a claim myself and the max amount is very low compared to others here (under 4k).

I am applying for mortgage with aib as first time buyer however I am married so wondering if that has something to do with the low amount.

Been full paye work last 3 years with parttime work 2017.

I sent enquiry to revenue so hopefully they can clarify.

RosieLu · 27-05-2021 1:42pm

Hi,

We applied for the Help to Buy scheme last year and were approved. At the time there were no New Builds so our approval elapsed.
We applied again recently and it seemed to take an age to process, but we didn’t think much of it. After logging into MyAccount, we found out that our application was cancelled. There was no other info as to why.
After messaging, they eventually got back to us explaining we had under payments for 2019 and 2020. They provided a link to make these payments in full. There was no option to adjust our tax credits and pay over a few years.
We are close to buying our house now with contracts sent out etc. It’s a lot of money for us both to pay off now and out of the blue when we’re trying so hard to save.
Obviously we will try and come up with the money from somewhere but I was just wondering has anyone else come across this recently?

IHateNewShoes · 27-05-2021 2:55pm

I had a similar case, I had an under payment of €1,200 and had to clear it in full before HTB would be processed. I was paying it through adjusted tax credits over 2 years but there cannot be any arrears for HTB approval.

RosieLu · 27-05-2021 2:59pm

Thanks for the reply. Yeah we had underpayments too last year but there was no problem having our tax credits adjusted to pay off what we owed over a few years. The difference is since we applied this year, they have told us we need to pay the amount in full now in order to proceed with approval for the scheme. They sent us a link to pay in full or if not we won’t be approved.

27-05-2021 3:02pm

My other half was told what she would get (amount towards the house) once we initiated the application at the end of last month. Mine was delayed due to working offshore so one year had to be removed and I had to reapply. Still under review for the last week. I was told I had over payments on some years and they refunded me but still waiting on the application to be processed which I found to be quite slow.

RosieLu · 27-05-2021 10:39pm

Hi thanks for that. We were approved last year no problem. But we didn’t take up the offer as there were no houses being built near us at the time.

We understand the process as had been there last year. The issue we’re having is the fact that they’re now asking us to pay upfront underpayments we owe. Last year when we were approved, we had underpayments, and they just adjusted our tax credits to repay what’s owed over a few years.

I’m just wondering how this has changed!

Graham · 27-05-2021 10:53pm

Mod Note

Threads merged

Jasna1982 · 28-05-2021 12:37am

RosieLu wrote: »

Hi thanks for that. We were approved last year no problem. But we didn’t take up the offer as there were no houses being built near us at the time.

We understand the process as had been there last year. The issue we’re having is the fact that they’re now asking us to pay upfront underpayments we owe. Last year when we were approved, we had underpayments, and they just adjusted our tax credits to repay what’s owed over a few years.

I’m just wondering how this has changed!

I find it strange that they approved it last year. They didn’t approve mine last year and I had to pay back 2600 in one chunk of I wanted to use HTB. Took a big chunk out of my savings

RosieLu · 29-05-2021 12:46pm

Yeah it is weird isn’t it! That’s interesting to know, thanks for that!! It is a big chunk out of the blue when trying to save too!

Strobing · 31-05-2021 3:44pm

elchupanebrey wrote: »

Turns out the builder can't claim the HTB after all. Bit annoying. I'm just seeing an error in my HTB claim. Has anyone an idea how long it takes revenue to reply to my enquiries, or would I be better ringing tomorrow?

Were you able to sort this out? I've a similar situation to you. Was advised to cancel my claim after we needed some details updated. Cancelled, updated and now the builder's solicitor can't take the funds. Seeing an error and I'm also seeing an error trying to access the HTB section.

Person I contacted in Revenue is equally as confused but it sounds like an error on their side. It's been "escalated" anyway.

elchupanebrey · 31-05-2021 5:58pm

Strobing wrote: »

Were you able to sort this out? I've a similar situation to you. Was advised to cancel my claim after we needed some details updated. Cancelled, updated and now the builder's solicitor can't take the funds. Seeing an error and I'm also seeing an error trying to access the HTB section.

Person I contacted in Revenue is equally as confused but it sounds like an error on their side. It's been "escalated" anyway.

My situation panned out exactly like yours. Seeing errors on my side etc, and solicitor unable to claim. I rang revenue and basically was told the Help to buy crew don't take any calls, sounds like the person I was taking to was having a go slow day. This is going on nearly 3 weeks now. Today my enquiry is showing as "in progress" so hopefully It will get sorted out this week. Luckily the contractor hasn't put me under any pressure, yet at least!

cheezums · 31-05-2021 6:48pm

Hi i'm at this stage:

Help To Buy Claim
Your claim reference number is xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Your solicitor or building contractor will require the claim reference number and the access code (sent to you at application stage of the HTB process) to verify the property prior to any refund issuing.

does my solicitor need to do something now? do I wait for revenue to contact me or my builder?

it's not exactly clear what happens next.

awec · 01-06-2021 10:23am

cheezums wrote: »

Hi i'm at this stage:

Help To Buy Claim
Your claim reference number is xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Your solicitor or building contractor will require the claim reference number and the access code (sent to you at application stage of the HTB process) to verify the property prior to any refund issuing.

does my solicitor need to do something now? do I wait for revenue to contact me or my builder?

it's not exactly clear what happens next.

Your solicitor will ask you for them when the developer's solicitor comes looking the money.

C14N · 01-06-2021 2:24pm

Mine got cancelled again, no explanation. Submitted again, sent a query asking about it nearly two weeks ago with no response. Tried calling two days later but was told that they couldn't help, only the HTB department could help and they'd get back to me withink 2 days, but now that's over a week and a half ago. It doesn't even give a reference number now. It says it's awaiting partnership confirmation and has this message:

More information
Your application cannot proceed because either you have outstanding issues on your tax affairs or all group members have not confirmed membership of the group. When these issues are resolved this application can proceed.

The whole thing is very frustrating. We've paid off all of our previously undercharged taxes and we're still seeing this. I don't understand how this whole thing isn't just automated to give quick approval, or to quickly say any outstanding issues so they can be solved instead of cancelling without explanation after weeks of waiting and sending you back to square one.

Sheeps · 01-06-2021 7:04pm

C14N wrote: »

Mine got cancelled again, no explanation. Submitted again, sent a query asking about it nearly two weeks ago with no response. Tried calling two days later but was told that they couldn't help, only the HTB department could help and they'd get back to me withink 2 days, but now that's over a week and a half ago. It doesn't even give a reference number now. It says it's awaiting partnership confirmation and has this message:

The whole thing is very frustrating. We've paid off all of our previously undercharged taxes and we're still seeing this. I don't understand how this whole thing isn't just automated to give quick approval, or to quickly say any outstanding issues so they can be solved instead of cancelling without explanation after weeks of waiting and sending you back to square one.

Request a tax clearance certificate and it should give you your issues, no?

C14N · 02-06-2021 1:32am

Sheeps wrote: »

Request a tax clearance certificate and it should give you your issues, no?

I suppose it's worth a try, although calling PAYE department up confirmed there are no outstanding taxes left to be paid at this point.

cromelex · 14-06-2021 11:49am

Our HTB applicaiton has been sitting in under view for a month or so.

There should be no reason for it to be held up as our tax situation is fairly simply. Is there any way to get revenue to expedite the approval?
Reading through the post it seems contacting through MyEnquiriies is the only way as they can't be reached by phone.

Has anyone been able to do anything over the phone to expedite this?

Strobing · 14-06-2021 1:54pm

elchupanebrey wrote: »

My situation panned out exactly like yours. Seeing errors on my side etc, and solicitor unable to claim. I rang revenue and basically was told the Help to buy crew don't take any calls, sounds like the person I was taking to was having a go slow day. This is going on nearly 3 weeks now. Today my enquiry is showing as "in progress" so hopefully It will get sorted out this week. Luckily the contractor hasn't put me under any pressure, yet at least!

Got sorted with this in the end, sounded like an error with their system! Thanks for sharing your experience anyway

nd272 · 14-06-2021 2:21pm

cromelex wrote: »

Our HTB applicaiton has been sitting in under view for a month or so.

There should be no reason for it to be held up as our tax situation is fairly simply. Is there any way to get revenue to expedite the approval?
Reading through the post it seems contacting through MyEnquiriies is the only way as they can't be reached by phone.

Has anyone been able to do anything over the phone to expedite this?

Hi there,

I had a similar issue to yourself so what it came down to was that in order to get my exception approved the bank and builders solicitors needed login codes and approval amounts which were delayed.

Solicitor sent me email to upload along with letter from bank stating they needed the htb approval as contracts were in and I needed to sign. I just kept sending them messages and in fairness once I uploaded the contracts as proof I had the confirmation within an hour. I also rang the revenue and stated same and the girl on phone escalated to management as I told them I would lose my house if I couldn’t sign papers.

elchupanebrey · 14-06-2021 2:48pm

Strobing wrote: »

Got sorted with this in the end, sounded like an error with their system! Thanks for sharing your experience anyway

It took pretty much the 20 days they give themselves to sort issues out to sort my issue out. Sorted out last week, about a week after "in progess" came up on my enquiry.

nd272 · 15-06-2021 2:07pm

So I got word today from solicitor all is signed and to upload the final contract so I can get the final claim number.

Uploaded final contracts and a copy of loan agreement for mortgage.

Get to last step and it gives me error once I press submit saying come back later.

This happened to anyone else?

lecker Hendl · 17-06-2021 11:14pm

nd272 wrote: »

So I got word today from solicitor all is signed and to upload the final contract so I can get the final claim number.

Uploaded final contracts and a copy of loan agreement for mortgage.

Get to last step and it gives me error once I press submit saying come back later.

This happened to anyone else?

came in here to ask the exact same question. Tried early in the morning and late this evening and same error each time. Sent them an email but good to know it's not just my claim!

cheezums · 18-06-2021 10:44am

My bank is currently witholding second stage payment until help to buy is resolved which is causing a lot of problems. I'm not sure what the help to buy has to do with the mortgage to be honest, its a self build. Any ideas? The help to buy goes directly into my account I was told, not a payment to the builder.

elchupanebrey · 18-06-2021 10:48am

lecker Hendl wrote: »

came in here to ask the exact same question. Tried early in the morning and late this evening and same error each time. Sent them an email but good to know it's not just my claim!

This has happened several people on here. Myself included. I made an error with paperwork I submitted which I thought was the cause of the error, but maybe it wasn't.

Sending a query on myenquiries will get it sorted out but they give themselves 4 weeks to sort queries out and will probably take nearly the 4 weeks to resolve your error.

DubLad69 · 18-06-2021 11:54am

Are people expecting the 30k HTB to be extended into next year?

KrustyUCC · 18-06-2021 3:10pm

Yeah I would

The government would get seriously slated if they stopped the scheme after not allowing construction earlier in the year

bdos1 · 22-06-2021 10:03am

When doing the 'claim' stage of the Help To Buy - it mentions signed contracts need to be uploaded and also Letter of Offer from the bank...

Does the Letter Of Offer have to be the signed version the solicitor has? Or can it be the unsigned copy which I received in the post initially? Can anyone confirm?

C14N · 23-06-2021 7:50pm

Finally got approved for my Help To Buy for the full €30k after the only new development I was interested in now looks like a dead end :') Oh well, I suppose it's there now in case of emergency anyway.

cheezums · 23-06-2021 10:53pm

funds finally in my account. about a week after I sent through proof of first drawdown. I did send an enquiry asking what the status was with a letter from my bank saying they won't release next drawdown until it's all sorted which may have sped it up a bit.

Normajeanjones · 23-06-2021 11:12pm

Does anyone know if there is anyway to get the Help to Buy if my loan to value would be less than 70%?

I’m a single buyer with good savings but in order to get up to the purchase price of a new build in my area (circa 350k) I’ll be getting a gift from my parents bringing my loan to value ratio to around 60%.

Creamy Goodness · 23-06-2021 11:13pm

Normajeanjones wrote: »

Does anyone know if there is anyway to get the Help to Buy if my loan to value would be less than 70%?

I’m a single buyer with good savings but in order to get up to the purchase price of a new build in my area (circa 350k) I’ll be getting a gift from my parents bringing my loan to value ratio to around 60%.

Nope the clue is in the name. It also looks like you have plenty of help as it is.

Damo 2k9 · 24-06-2021 6:54pm

Hi all, apologies if it has been covered but I went back to page 250 and could only find one post about it.

Renjit wrote: »

You will be eligible for previous 4 years worth of tax or 30k (under enhanced HTB) whichever is lowest.

So, lets say you create HTB application in 2021 then you will be able to claim taxes for 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017.

If total taxes you paid is 50k for these past 4 years then you will only be able to claim max 30k to pay towards the deposit for the property price.

And if total taxes you paid is 20k for these past 4 years then you will only be able to claim max 20k to pay towards the deposit for the property price.

Myself and my partner are HTB approved for just shy of 23k as a joint application. I can avail of 10k and herself 12-13k.

We have each went back and calculated taxes paid in the last 4 years through our SOL on revenue website and both add up to approx 50k in taxes together over the last 4 years. Yet, we are still only approved for 23k of a max 30k.

Has anyone else experiences similar? We have an enquiry in with Revenue but god knows how long that will take. Appreciate any info.

Renjit · 24-06-2021 11:45pm

Damo 2k9 wrote: »

Hi all, apologies if it has been covered but I went back to page 250 and could only find one post about it.

Myself and my partner are HTB approved for just shy of 23k as a joint application. I can avail of 10k and herself 12-13k.

We have each went back and calculated taxes paid in the last 4 years through our SOL on revenue website and both add up to approx 50k in taxes together over the last 4 years. Yet, we are still only approved for 23k of a max 30k.

Has anyone else experiences similar? We have an enquiry in with Revenue but god knows how long that will take. Appreciate any info.

Did any of you avail benefits from government earlier? That gets subtracted. Anyway, you will have reply from the enquiry.

Damo 2k9 · 25-06-2021 11:29am

Afraid to post it in fear of sounding so stupid, but when we calculated tax paid the previous year we forgot that tax credits was included in the figure we were looking at.... Seems to work out without including tax credits.

2017-21 help to buy scheme - megathread. All help to buy discussion here please

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