Hike in Council loan limits in Laois

The amount people in Laois can borrow for a home loan from Laois County Council has increased to reflect rising house prices nationwide. 

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD has announced that the limits in Laois for the Local Authority Home Loan and the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation loan has increased from  €275,000 to €310,000. 

The Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) is available for people who are unable to obtain sufficient funding from commercial banks to purchase or build a home. The loan can be used both for new and second-hand properties, or to self-build.  

Minister Browne said: “Raising the income thresholds and property price thresholds ensures the Local Authority Home Loan remains an effective support for people who are ready to buy but face challenges accessing finance. These changes reaffirm the Government’s commitment to widening access to sustainable homeownership.

“Supporting people on moderate incomes to realise their ambition of becoming homeowners is a key objective of our Housing Action Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities. By increasing both property price ceilings and the single income limit, we are ensuring more people can access a secure mortgage and take an important step towards homeownership.”

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The Local Authority Home Loan was launched in January 2022 and the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation loan was launched in July 2024. Both loans support creditworthy first-time buyers and fresh start applicants who are unable to get sufficient finance from commercial banks to buy a home or buy and renovate a vacant or derelict property that is eligible for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.

The changes to the Local Authority Home Loan and the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation loan will come into effect in Q2 2026. 

There has also been an increase in income limits in each local authority area from €70,000 to €80,000 for all single applicants. the joint applicants’ income limit will remain at its current level (€85,000).