What is the Tenant in Situ scheme in Ireland?

The Tenant in Situ (TiS) scheme allows local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to purchase a private rented property from a landlord who intends to sell, when the current tenant would otherwise face homelessness. The tenant remains in the property as a social housing tenant. The scheme is specifically for tenants who are receiving HAP or RAS and whose landlord has issued a notice of termination due to an intention to sell the property.

Who qualifies for the Tenant in Situ scheme in 2026?

To qualify for Tenant in Situ: you must be a current tenant in a private rented property; your landlord must have issued a valid notice of termination to sell the property; you must be in receipt of HAP or RAS (or in some cases, in temporary accommodation via a local authority); you must be on the social housing waiting list or eligible for social housing support; and the property must be valued within the scheme's price limits and meet required standards.

How does the Tenant in Situ purchase process work?

When a tenant at risk of homelessness contacts their local authority about a landlord sale: (1) The local authority assesses eligibility; (2) If eligible, the local authority or AHB approaches the landlord to discuss a voluntary purchase; (3) An independent market valuation is carried out; (4) If the landlord agrees, the purchase proceeds at market value; (5) The property transfers to local authority or AHB ownership; (6) The tenant signs a new social housing tenancy agreement at differential rent. The landlord cannot be compelled to sell — their participation is voluntary.

What happens to my tenancy when the local authority buys the property?

Once the purchase completes, you become a social housing tenant. Your new landlord is the local authority or the Approved Housing Body that purchased the property. You sign a new tenancy agreement with the local authority/AHB. Your rent changes to differential rent (based on your income), which is typically significantly lower than the private market rent you were paying under HAP. You have all the rights and protections of a social housing tenant.

Can my landlord be forced to sell under Tenant in Situ?

No. Landlord participation in the Tenant in Situ scheme is entirely voluntary. The local authority or AHB can offer to purchase the property at market value, but the landlord is free to decline. If the landlord declines, the notice of termination proceeds and you must vacate. In that case, your local authority housing department should be contacted immediately for emergency housing assistance. The local authority can explore other options such as emergency accommodation or placing you on a priority housing list.

What are the property value limits for Tenant in Situ purchases?

The property value limits for Tenant in Situ purchases align broadly with the social housing price thresholds used by local authorities and AHBs. These vary by area. In 2026, indicative limits include: Dublin: up to approximately €450,000 for a house (varies by property type and local authority); outside Dublin: lower limits typically €250,000-€350,000 depending on the area. The property must also meet Minimum Standards for Rental Accommodation. Your local authority will assess whether the property is within the applicable value threshold.

What notice period does my landlord have to give when selling?

Under the Residential Tenancies Acts, a landlord selling a property must give appropriate notice: 90 days notice for tenancies of less than 6 months; 180 days for 6 months to 1 year; 180 days for 1-2 years; 180 days for 2-3 years; 180 days for 3+ years. The Housing Agency and RTB have guidelines on valid termination notices for sale. An invalid notice of termination can be challenged at the RTB. Contact the RTB immediately if you believe your notice is invalid.

Does the Tenant in Situ scheme apply to all tenants at risk of losing their home?

No. The Tenant in Situ scheme is specifically targeted at HAP and RAS tenants whose landlord is selling. It does not apply to: tenants who are not on social housing support (HAP/RAS); tenants being evicted for reasons other than landlord sale (e.g. arrears, anti-social behaviour); landlords terminating for family member occupation; or tenants who are not on the housing waiting list. For tenants facing other types of eviction, contact Threshold (threshold.ie) for advocacy support.

How do I apply for the Tenant in Situ scheme?

Contact your local authority housing department as soon as you receive a notice of termination from your landlord stating an intention to sell. Bring: the original notice of termination; your HAP or RAS documentation; proof of your social housing eligibility; details of the property. The local authority will assess your case and, if eligible, will approach the landlord about a possible purchase. Time is critical — the earlier you contact the local authority, the more time there is to negotiate with the landlord.

Can an Approved Housing Body (AHB) purchase my home under Tenant in Situ?

Yes. Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) — social housing charities and co-operatives — can also purchase properties under the Tenant in Situ scheme in addition to or instead of the local authority. AHBs include organisations like Clúid Housing, Respond, Circle Voluntary Housing and others. If a local authority cannot purchase (e.g. budget constraints), they may refer the case to an AHB partner. Your tenancy protections are the same regardless of whether the buyer is a local authority or AHB.

Tenant in Situ 2026 — Council purchases your home to keep you in it

Tenant in Situ Scheme in Ireland 2026

If you are on HAP or RAS and your landlord is selling, the Tenant in Situ scheme allows the local authority or an Approved Housing Body to purchase the property so you can stay. You become a social housing tenant paying differential rent. The landlord must agree to sell — it is voluntary. This guide covers who qualifies, how the purchase process works, your protections as a tenant, and what to do right now if you have received a notice of termination.

Reading time: 6 minutesLast updated: July 26, 2026

If you have received a notice of termination — act immediately

Contact your local authority housing department as soon as you receive the notice. The earlier you contact them, the more time they have to approach your landlord about a Tenant in Situ purchase. Do not wait until your notice period is nearly over.

Tenant in Situ 2026 — Quick facts

Who can buy: Local authority or AHB
Trigger: Landlord notice to sell
Who qualifies: HAP or RAS tenants
Landlord participation: Voluntary — cannot be compelled
Outcome for tenant: Social housing tenant, differential rent
Purchase price: Market value (independent valuation)

How the Tenant in Situ process works — timeline

Landlord issues valid notice of termination
Your landlord must follow the Residential Tenancies Acts. The notice must be in writing, state the reason (sale of property), give the correct notice period (at least 180 days for most tenancies), and be served correctly. An invalid notice can be challenged at the RTB — always check the notice with the RTB or Threshold before panicking.
Contact your local authority immediately
Go to your local authority housing department and explain the situation. Bring the notice of termination, your HAP/RAS documentation, and proof of housing list status. The local authority assesses your eligibility for Tenant in Situ.
Local authority/AHB approaches the landlord
If you are eligible, a housing officer contacts your landlord to discuss a voluntary sale. They explain the Tenant in Situ process and the market valuation process. The landlord is under no obligation to agree.
Independent property valuation
If the landlord is interested, the local authority/AHB commissions an independent market valuation of the property. The offer to the landlord is based on this valuation.
Purchase completes
If the landlord accepts the offer, the purchase proceeds through normal conveyancing. Typically takes 6–12 weeks to close.
You sign a social housing tenancy
Once the purchase completes, you become a social housing tenant. You sign a new tenancy agreement with your local authority or AHB. Your rent changes to the differential rent assessment rate.

Notice period protections

Length of tenancy	Minimum notice period (landlord selling)
Less than 6 months	90 days
6 months to 1 year	180 days
1 year or more	180 days

These are statutory minimums. Your lease may specify longer notice periods. An invalid notice can be challenged at the RTB — always check before vacating.

What to do if the landlord refuses to sell

If your landlord declines to participate in Tenant in Situ, your local authority should:

Assess you for priority housing allocation on the social housing list
Explore whether any other AHBs are interested in purchasing the property
Explore emergency accommodation options if you face immediate homelessness
Refer you to HAP at a new property address if you can find alternative accommodation

Also contact:

Threshold (threshold.ie) — free housing advocacy and tenancy rights advice
MABS (mabs.ie) — if financial pressure is a factor
RTB (rtb.ie) — if you believe the notice is invalid or your rights are not being respected

Frequently asked questions

Common misunderstandings about Tenant in Situ

The landlord cannot be forced to sell under Tenant in Situ — the scheme is voluntary for landlords.
Tenant in Situ only applies to HAP and RAS tenants — not all tenants facing eviction qualify.
The scheme applies when the landlord is selling — not for other eviction grounds (arrears, family member occupation, etc.).
Act immediately when you receive a notice — waiting reduces the local authority’s ability to negotiate with the landlord.
An invalid notice of termination can be challenged at the RTB — always check the notice before accepting it as valid.

Official sources

This page was reviewed against official Gov.ie, Housing Agency and Citizens Information guidance. Tenant in Situ 2026: local authority or AHB voluntarily purchases home from landlord selling, HAP/RAS tenants qualify, tenant becomes social housing tenant at differential rent.

Information Accuracy — This guide has been independently researched and reviewed using official Irish government sources available on the publication date. Government schemes, payment rates, eligibility rules and legislation may change over time. Before making financial, legal or welfare decisions, always confirm the latest information directly with the relevant Irish authority.

Reviewed by

Vitor Alves

Founder of D’Emilia Accounting

Founder of D’Emilia Accounting, helping immigrants navigate Irish tax and benefits.

Last reviewed: July 26, 2026 · About this site