Search

22 Oct 2025

Offaly tenants decades in their homes but barred from buying

Living in houses that will never be their own

Many people have been living in Offaly housing estates for years but they will never get an opportunity to buy them

Many people have been living in Offaly housing estates for years but they will never get an opportunity to buy them

A significant number of Offaly residents who have rented their homes for decades may never get the chance to buy them, due to restrictions under the Planning and Development Act.

In many local estates, families have lived for 20 years or more in homes they would love to purchase, often with the hope of passing them on to their children. But because these properties fall under Part V of the Planning and Development Act, tenants are not allowed to buy them.

Under Part V, a portion - generally 20% of new housing developments must be made available to local authorities for use as social and affordable housing. It has been a valuable tool in increasing local housing stock, however, it now leaves many long-term tenants without a pathway to ownership as they are not allowed to buy the properties.

Offaly County Councillor Frank Moran is calling for change. He wants the Council to write to the Minister for Housing to push for these homes to be included in the Tenant Purchase Scheme, which allows eligible tenants to buy their homes at a discounted rate based on income and market value.

''Part V was a great addition to the local stock going back years ago,'' said Cllr Moran at the July meeting of Offaly County Council. ''But there are people, particularly in Clara, living in estates and it has been their home for the last 20 years. They never caused any problems, yet their neighbours have an opportunity to buy their houses under the Tenant Purchase Scheme.''

''I did bring this motion before, but nothing ever happened,'' he added. ''I would like your support.''

Councillor Declan Harvey backed the proposal, pointing out the investment many families have made in their homes over the years.

''People have spent a lot of money on their houses and made great homes out of them. They would like to keep it as a family home and I think they should be allowed to do so. My own parents bought our house years ago and my sister still lives in it.''

Cllr Sean O'Brien also supported the motion, describing it as both an incentive and an opportunity.

READ NEXT: Tullamore house prices top €400k-families stuck in the middle says councillors

''If people want to buy a house they will keep it well,'' he said. ''It’s an opportunity for people to aspire to buy their house and take care of it.''

He added that as more approved housing schemes are developed across Offaly towns, the same issue will continue to arise.

Cathaoirleach John Leahy accepted the motion and it was agreed to write to the Minister.

To continue reading this article,
please subscribe and support local journalism!


Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles.

Subscribe

To continue reading this article for FREE,
please kindly register and/or log in.


Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news!

Register / Login

Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.

Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.