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What is cost rental?

A long-term rental where the rent covers what the home costs to build and run, not what the market will pay.

Two Georgian front doors in Dublin, one red and one yellow, with fanlights above
Photo: Robert Anasch / Unsplash

How the rent is set

Cost rental was created by the Affordable Housing Act 2021. The rent is based on the cost of building, managing and maintaining the homes, which puts it at least 25% below market rents in the area. Tenancies are long-term and secure.

Who provides it

The Land Development Agency builds the largest share. Approved housing bodies and local councils provide the rest, and all of them advertise on the Housing Agency's New Starter Homes site.

  • Land Development Agency2 schemes
  • Tuath Housing2 schemes
  • Clúid Housing1 scheme
  • Oaklee1 scheme
  • Respond1 scheme

Schemes we've seen listed by each provider.

How you get one

Each scheme opens for applications for a set window. Eligible applicants are then drawn at random, and anyone picked has a short deadline to prove their income. See who's eligible.

Common questions

What is cost rental?

Cost rental homes are let at what it costs to build, manage and maintain them, rather than at market rent. The tenure was created by the Affordable Housing Act 2021, and rents are at least 25% below market rents in the area. Tenancies are long-term and secure.

How are the homes given out?

Each scheme takes applications for a set window, often one to four weeks. The LDA then picks eligible applicants at random by lottery, so applying on the last day gives you the same chance as applying on the first. Other providers publish their own rules on each listing.

How long do I have to send documents if I'm picked?

The LDA gives successful applicants 72 hours to upload proof of income and other documents, after which the offer goes to the next person drawn. Have payslips, bank statements and references ready before you apply.

Is Cost Rental Watch official?

No. It is an independent, free service that checks lda.ie and newstarterhomes.ie every 30 minutes and links to the official listings. You always apply on the provider's own site, and we never take applications or payments.