Mortgage to rent scheme now revised
FINE Gael Wexford TD Michael D’Arcy has said the Mortgage To Rent Scheme will now be more accessible to households in Wexford in mortgage distress.
The revised scheme will also offer participants the option to buy their home back after a period of five years if their financial situation improves.
Deputy D’Arcy said: ‘Amendments are now being made to the scheme which will make the Mortgage to Rent process quicker, more transparent, easier to navigate for borrowers and ultimately, more accessible to more households in mortgage distress.
‘ The scheme will allow people in mortgage arrears to go from paying a mortgage to renting and remain living in their family home.
‘ The property price threshold for a house in Wexford is being increased to €280,000 from €250,000; while the threshold for an apartment/townhouse in is being increased to €210,000 from €190,000.’
Participants in the scheme surrender possession of their home to the mortgage lender who immediately sells it to a housing association.
The property will then be rented back to the mortgage holder. While they no longer own the property, they can continue living in their home as a social housing tenant and will pay an income-related rent set by the Local Authority.
Deputy D’Arcy said: ‘I would like to remind those in mortgage difficulty that this is a realistic and viable option.
‘It offers peace of mind for the mortgage holder and their family to remain living in their home without disruption to their family life.
‘ The proceeds from the sale of the home will go towards the mortgage debt and the mortgage holder will come to an arrangement with their lender for remaining debt, if any.
‘ There is also potential for people to buy their home back after five years.’
Last year 217 families remained in their home as a result of the scheme and 635 cases are actively reaching conclusion.