Help-to-Buy Scheme

Q: How do I apply, and how is the refund paid?

You apply online through Revenue's myAccount or ROS, providing details of the property, the refund you are claiming, and your finances, and you must be fully tax compliant. Once your claim is approved and verified, the refund is paid in different ways depending on the type of home. For a new build, it is paid to the qualifying contractor and goes towards your deposit. For a self-build, it is paid into the loan account you hold with your mortgage provider.

Getting onto the property ladder is no easy task, but the Help to Buy Scheme can make it more achievable for eligible first-time buyers. At McCarthy + Co, our conveyancing team provides expert guidance on the scheme, alongside our highly rated conveyancing service.

Arrange a Consultation

Expert Legal Guidance Throughout Your Help-to-Buy Scheme Application

The Help to Buy Scheme is a government initiative that helps eligible first-time buyers purchase or build a new home. It provides a refund of income tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid over the previous four years, up to €30,000 or 10% of the property’s value, whichever is lower. The scheme applies to new build and self-build homes valued at €500,000 or less, and it is currently due to run until the end of 2029.

At McCarthy + Co Solicitors LLP, our conveyancing team is led by Joseph McCarthy, who has extensive experience assisting first-time buyers throughout their property buying journeys, including making the most of the Help to Buy Scheme. Joseph and his team support you at every step, including:

Checking your eligibility – We review whether you meet the scheme’s conditions, including first-time buyer status, the type and value of the property, and the mortgage requirement.
Preparing your documentation – We help you gather and submit the paperwork the scheme requires, and we liaise with your lender and the builder where needed.
Handling the conveyancing – We manage the legal side of the purchase, from reviewing the contract and investigating the title to completing the transfer.
Coordinating with other supports – Where you are also using a scheme such as the First Home Scheme, we make sure everything works together correctly.

If you would like to talk to us about using the Help to Buy Scheme to finance your first home, arrange an appointment with one of our conveyancing solicitors by completing our confidential online form.

“I was lucky to be able to get onto the property ladder & with the amazing help from Maureen & Joseph, I now own my first home. I am so grateful for all the assistance and professional work they provided, as buying any property can be stressful but with the excellent service I was receiving it took a weight off my shoulders knowing they were keeping on top of things & I would highly recommend them.”

Cat S

Call us Freephone to Discuss Your Case:

1800 390 555

Request A Call Back

Get a call back from our legal team at a time that suits you.

Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*
First Name* Last Name*
Email*
Contact Number*
Best Day/Time to Call
CAPTCHA

Highly rated on TrustPilot

Read the latest reviews written by our happy clients.

Meet Joseph McCarthy

Joseph McCarthy is a partner at McCarthy + Co Solicitors LLP and has been an integral member of the team since 2013. He is a highly experienced conveyancing solicitor, helping homeowners and prospective homeowners throughout the process of buying and selling their properties. Whether clients are purchasing their first home with the help of a scheme such as Help to Buy, moving to a new one, or selling a property, Joseph guides them through every stage with a problem-solving approach and a genuine commitment to making the experience as straightforward as possible.

Joseph’s client-focused mindset shapes his work, as he is known for keeping clients well informed and connecting them with the right expert whenever a matter falls outside his area. If you are buying your first home, or any other property, and would like trusted, attentive advice, you can contact Joseph directly at joseph@mccarthy.ie.

Joseph McCarthy, Associate Solicitor, Wills & Probate

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions we are often asked in relation to buying a property.

Am I eligible for the Help to Buy Scheme?

You will generally qualify if you meet the following conditions:

You are a first-time buyer – You must never have bought or built a home before, either alone or with someone else. You can read more on our first-time buyers
You are buying a new build or self-build – The scheme applies only to newly built and self-build homes, not to second-hand properties.
The property is worth €500,000 or less – Homes valued above this do not qualify.
You take out a qualifying mortgage – You must borrow at least 70% of the purchase price, or the approved valuation, from a qualifying lender such as a bank, building society, or local authority.
You meet the residence requirement – You must live in the property as your main home for at least five years.
You are tax compliant – You must be up to date with your income tax and DIRT obligations.

How much can I claim?

You can claim up to €30,000, or 10% of the value of the property, whichever is lower, and the refund cannot exceed the income tax and DIRT you paid over the previous four years. For a new build, the 10% is based on the purchase price, so a €250,000 home could attract up to €25,000. For a self-build, it is based on the approved valuation. Because the cap is €30,000, the maximum relief applies once a property is valued at €300,000 or more.

What are the mortgage requirements?

You must take out a mortgage of at least 70% of the purchase price, or of the approved valuation if that is lower, from a qualifying lender. This is known as the loan-to-value ratio. You can have a guarantor, such as a parent or close relative, who agrees to cover the repayments if necessary, and the guarantor does not need to be a first-time buyer.

How do I apply, and how is the refund paid?

You apply online through Revenue’s myAccount or ROS, providing details of the property, the refund you are claiming, and your finances, and you must be fully tax compliant. Once your claim is approved and verified, the refund is paid in different ways depending on the type of home. For a new build, it is paid to the qualifying contractor and goes towards your deposit. For a self-build, it is paid into the loan account you hold with your mortgage provider.

Can I use Help to Buy with the First Home Scheme?

Yes. The two schemes can be combined on a new build. If you use both, the maximum equity support available under the First Home Scheme is reduced from 30% to 20% of the purchase price. Using them together can help bridge the gap between your deposit, your mortgage, and the price of the home, and we can advise on how they work alongside each other in your particular case.