Eligibility generally depends on your income, employment and credit history, whether you are a first-time buyer or qualify under the Fresh Start principle, and whether you can afford the repayments. Applicants are usually expected to show that they could not obtain sufficient mortgage finance from two regulated commercial lenders, while also meeting the scheme’s deposit, property and residency conditions. Income limits and other rules can change, and the relevant local authority will assess your application and supporting documents. Check the latest criteria on localauthorityhomeloan.ie or Citizens Information before applying.