What is the Local Authority Home Loan?

The Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) is a government-backed mortgage for first-time buyers and fresh-start applicants who cannot get sufficient finance from commercial banks. It offers fixed interest rates for the full term of the mortgage, with rates from 3.35% to 4.00% depending on term length.

What are the new income limits for the Local Authority Home Loan in 2026?

From April 2026, the income limit for single applicants increases from €70,000 to €80,000. The limit for joint applicants remains at €85,000.

What is the maximum property price for the Local Authority Home Loan?

Maximum property prices vary by county and are increasing from April 2026. The highest limit is €415,000 in Dublin, Kildare, and Wicklow. Cork, Galway City, and Meath have a limit of €375,000. Other counties range from €310,000 to €345,000.

Can I use Help to Buy with the Local Authority Home Loan?

Yes. If you are eligible for the Help to Buy scheme, you can use the HTB tax refund towards your deposit for the Local Authority Home Loan. This can significantly reduce the savings you need.

Local Authority Home Loan Eligibility Checker 2026

Your Details

Application Type

Gross Annual Income (combined if joint)

€

Single limit: €80,000 | Joint limit: €85,000 (from April 2026)

County Where You Want to Buy

Property Price You're Considering

€

Leave blank to see your maximum

Deposit Saved

€

Minimum 10% deposit required. HTB can count towards this.

Preferred Mortgage Term

LAHL max term is 30 years. Rates are fixed for the full term.

Are you a first-time buyer?

Fresh Start = divorced/separated with no interest in former family home, or post-insolvency

Refused by 2 commercial lenders?

You must show evidence of insufficient offers from 2 lenders

Your Eligibility Result

Enter your details and we'll check every eligibility criterion for the Local Authority Home Loan against the new April 2026 limits.

About the Local Authority Home Loan

The Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) is a government-backed mortgage launched in January 2022 under Housing for All. It helps creditworthy first-time buyers who can't get sufficient finance from commercial banks to buy a new, second-hand, or self-build home.

The key advantage is the interest rate is fixed for the entire term of the mortgage — meaning your repayments stay the same for 25 or 30 years. Current rates are 3.35% for up to 25 years and 3.55%–3.70% for longer terms, which are significantly below most commercial fixed rates.

April 2026 Changes

Minister for Housing James Browne announced significant increases to both income and property price limits, effective from April 2026. The single applicant income limit rises from €70,000 to €80,000, and property price caps are increasing across all counties — with Dublin, Kildare, and Wicklow rising to €415,000.

Key Requirements

You must be a first-time buyer or fresh-start applicant, have been refused by two commercial lenders, have a minimum 10% deposit, be in continuous employment for at least 2 years, and show that your monthly repayments will be less than one-third of your household income. You can use the Help to Buy scheme towards your deposit.

Do You Qualify for the
Local Authority Home Loan?

Your Details

Your Eligibility Result

Get Your LAHL Application Checklist

About the Local Authority Home Loan

April 2026 Changes

Key Requirements

Get the Irish Property Insider