This new housing tenure offers a long-term, secure rental option that will contribute to the development of a healthy housing market in Ireland. The rent is based on the cost of building, managing and maintaining the homes which means it is an affordable housing option.p

You can apply on the Respond website and follow the instructions. This is the only method to apply, applications cannot be made by post or over the phone.

Once you have selected the property you want to apply for, you will need to enter your details into our self-service eligibility checker and register your interest.

If your name is chosen from the lottery, the following documents will need to be submitted;

• Proof of ID for each household member
• Proof of Address
• Proof of Residency
• Proof of Income for all members of the household over 18
• Landlord Reference
• Bank Statements

Please have these documents ready when you register your interest. If your application is successful, you will have 72 hours to upload your documents and complete the application process.

• Proof of ID (Current Valid Signed Passport/Current Valid Passport Card/Current Valid Travel Document/Current Valid EU/EEA Driving Licence– must contain photograph (Irish Provisional accepted)/Current EU National Identity Card)
• Proof of address (Utility Bill e.g. telephone, mobile, gas, electricity, heating, oil, waste collection (where a utility bill is a first bill, a second form of address verification is required)/Correspondence from a Regulated Financial Institution operating in the Republic of Ireland (Insurance / Assurance Co., Bank, Building Society, Credit Union, Credit Card Company)/Correspondence from a Government Department / Body)

• Proof of Residency in the Republic Of Ireland. Documents that are eligible as proof of residence are as follows
  • Employment Details Summary (P60)
  • Statement of Payments/Benefits from Dept. of Social Protection
  • Tenancy agreement if you are renting
  • Bank statements for at least 3 months showing day-to-day transactions or Direct Debits for utility bills
  • An employment letter from your current employer, which includes your name, address and date you commenced work
• Proof of income
  • If employed: Employment Details Summary (P60) and/or last three months payslips
  • End of Year Statement (P21) along with accountants

• • If self-employed– a minimum of 1 year’s accounts, along with an up-to-date tax balancing statement and preliminary tax receipt.
  • Social Welfare Income – documentary evidence of all social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and pensions being received by members of the household. As income of household members over 18 is also included in the assessment for qualification, evidence of payments to these household members is also needed.
• Landlord Reference, dated within the previous 6 weeks
• Bank Statements for the previous 6 months

To be eligible, you need to be able to prove the following;

• Your net household income is below €66,000 per annum
• You are not in receipt of any social housing supports
• You do not own a property
• Your household size matches the size of the property advertised
• You can afford to pay the cost rent for the home
• Your household has only entered one application for a specific cost rental property

We will carry out an affordability test to ensure your rent charge is not more than 35% of your net household income. In the event that it is higher, we will give you the option to provide evidence, that based on your current income you have paid the same rent or higher, for the preceding two years without defaulting.

You should apply for the size property that matches your needs. We will seek not to under or over occupy properties. Set out below, are the guidelines we will be adopting:

• One-bed unit – suitable for a single person, or cohabiting couple.
• Two-bed unit – suitable for two adults or cohabiting couple/lone parent with 1 or 2 children under the age of 10 years or with 2 children over the age of 10 years of the same sex.
• Three-bed unit – suitable for three adults, a cohabiting couple/lone parent with 3 or 4 children over the age of 10 of the same sex, a cohabiting couple/lone parent with 2 children over the age of 10 years of the opposite sex, or a cohabiting couple/lone parent with a 3 or 4 children under the age of 10 of the opposite sex.
• Four-bed unit – suitable for four adults, a cohabiting couple/lone parent with 5 or 6 children over the age of 10 of the same sex, a cohabiting couple/lone parent with 3 children over the age of 10 years, or a cohabiting couple/lone parent with 5 or 6 children under the age of 10 of the opposite sex.

We will not consider an application that will lead to over occupation of a property. Over occupation is where more than two children are occupying one bedroom per household or where two children one of whom is aged 10 or more, of opposite sex are sharing a room.

Net household income is calculated by adding together the net income for each household member aged 18 years and over. Net income means that income tax, universal social charge, pension related deductions and PRSI are deducted from the relevant gross assessable income.

All cost rental rents are set at a minimum level of 25% below the market rents in the area where the scheme is located.

Each Cost Rental scheme page will outline the monthly rent.

The deposits for each unit type will be one month’s rent minus €50.

Each Cost Rental scheme page will outline the monthly rent.

The properties are unfurnished; They will have flooring, blinds and white goods (fridge/freezer, dishwasher, oven & hob, microwave, washer/dryer)

Flooring coverings will be laminate flooring.

The tenant will have the right to remain in occupation for an unlimited duration, after the tenant has been in continuous occupation for 6 months. 

Applications are assessed at point of entry. If for example, after you’ve been allocated a property your household income increased above €59,000 outside Dublin and above €66,000 within Dublin you would still be entitled to continue renting the property.

The lottery will be run once the advertising of the properties has ceased. This is operated by an external agency with full audit trail for transparency. The lottery will create at random; a list of all applicants and we will approach applicants from the top of the list.

If your name is chosen from the lottery, you will hear from us within five working days after the closing date via email and a phone call.

Yes, we will notify all applicants whether they are successful or not. This may take up to four weeks until all applications are assessed and processed.

No. These properties will not be available to purchase.

No – Respond will not be holding a waiting list for cost rental housing. You will be able to apply again when schemes are advertised.

No. You cannot transfer or apply for a cost rental tenancy if you receive social housing supports.

No, one application per household only is permitted. Anyone applying multiple times will be disqualified from the lottery.

Yes, there will. Keep an eye on the Respond website for further details on upcoming cost rental schemes.

Rent is applied to your account automatically on the first of each month. To help you stay on track and avoid falling into arrears, please ensure your payment reaches Respond before this date. If you’re experiencing any difficulties, please reach out, we’re here to support you.

Parking is not guaranteed at our developments, please view the scheme specific FAQs for further information.