Mortgage to Rent 2026 — Stay in your home after mortgage arrears
Mortgage to Rent Scheme in Ireland 2026
Mortgage to Rent lets homeowners in severe, unsustainable mortgage arrears transfer ownership of their home to an Approved Housing Body and stay on as a social housing tenant paying affordable rent. You don’t have to leave. Your remaining mortgage debt may be written off. The scheme is voluntary and requires agreement from you, your lender, and the AHB. This guide covers who qualifies, how the process works, and the advantages and disadvantages.
Mortgage to Rent 2026 — Quick facts
- Who buys your home
- Approved Housing Body (AHB)
- You become
- Social housing tenant
- Tenancy length
- Long-term (25+ years typically)
- Mortgage debt
- May be written off (negotiated)
- Voluntary
- Yes — all parties must agree
- First step
- Contact MABS (Abhaile service)
Eligibility decision tree
- Is your mortgage unsustainable? (You cannot meet repayments even with restructuring)
Yes → continue No → work with your lender on a restructure arrangement through MARP. MTR is not needed. - Is this your principal private residence (primary home)?
Yes → continue No → MTR applies only to your primary home, not investment properties or holiday homes. - Is your household income within social housing income limits?
Yes → continue No → may not qualify. Speak to an Abhaile advisor about alternatives. - Is your property within the MTR value limits? (approx. €450k Dublin, €350k elsewhere for a house)
Yes → continue No → property may be above limits. Explore voluntary sale or other options through Abhaile. - Have you engaged with your lender under MARP?
Yes → contact MABS to access Abhaile and begin the MTR process. No → engage with your lender under MARP first, or contact MABS immediately.
Mortgage to Rent process timeline
Call MABS (0818 07 2000) or go to mabs.ie. An Abhaile advisor is assigned. Free solicitor may be arranged. Your financial situation is assessed. MTR eligibility is confirmed.
Your lender is approached about MTR. The lender assesses whether they are willing to participate. Processing time varies significantly by lender. Your Abhaile advisor liaises with the lender on your behalf.
A suitable AHB is identified. The AHB assesses the property and obtains an independent valuation. The AHB must be willing to purchase the property and take on the tenancy.
Solicitors coordinate the property transfer. The remaining mortgage shortfall (if any) is negotiated between the lender and you. In many cases, the lender writes off the shortfall as part of the arrangement.
Ownership transfers to the AHB. You sign a long-term social housing tenancy agreement. Your rent is set at the differential rent rate. You stay in your home.
Advantages and disadvantages
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|
| You stay in your home — no forced eviction | You permanently lose ownership of the property |
| Affordable differential rent replaces mortgage | Cannot pass the home to your children |
| Remaining debt may be written off | AHB must agree — not all properties qualify |
| Long-term tenancy security (25+ years) | Cannot benefit from future property price rises |
| Ends mortgage arrears stress permanently | Freedom to modify property is restricted |
| Children’s school and community not disrupted | Process takes 9–18 months |
| Avoids repossession and homelessness | Income must remain within social housing limits |
Role of the Approved Housing Body (AHB)
Approved Housing Bodies are non-profit social housing organisations approved by the government. Under MTR, the AHB:
- Purchases your property at market value from your lender (paying off as much of the mortgage as the property value allows)
- Becomes your landlord under a long-term social housing tenancy
- Is responsible for property maintenance and repairs
- Calculates and collects your differential rent (based on your income)
- Must comply with all tenancy laws and RTB requirements
- Cannot evict you except for valid grounds (non-payment, anti-social behaviour, etc.) following proper RTB notice procedures
Major AHBs involved in MTR include: Clúid Housing, Respond Housing, Tuath Housing, Circle Voluntary Housing and others. The specific AHB is matched by the MTR administrator based on the property’s location and the AHB’s available funding.
Frequently asked questions
- MTR is a last resort for truly unsustainable mortgages — if your mortgage can be restructured, your lender must try that first under MARP.
- Mortgage debt write-off is not automatic — it must be negotiated with the lender and is not guaranteed.
- You cannot buy back the property once transferred — the transfer is permanent.
- The process takes 9–18 months — it is not a quick solution. Engage with MABS as early as possible.
- MTR requires everyone to agree (you, lender, AHB) — if your lender or the AHB declines, the scheme cannot proceed. Abhaile can advise on alternatives.
- The Abhaile service is free — no cost to you for MABS advice or the Abhaile solicitor.
This page was reviewed against official mortgagetorent.ie, MABS Abhaile, Housing Agency and Gov.ie guidance. Mortgage to Rent 2026: voluntary transfer to AHB, stay as social tenant, remaining debt may be written off, contact MABS Abhaile as first step (0818 07 2000).
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.