You can first check your eligibility by using our eligibility calculator. If you are eligible, you can then register and submit your application online.
We will need you to provide some information during the application process. For example:
- personal details (e.g. your full name, current address, date of birth and occupation, etc.)
- qualification details (e.g. Are you a first-time buyer? Are you availing of HTB? etc.)
- Property details (e.g., are you looking to purchase or build a property? Location of the property, purchase price/ build cost)
- your solicitor’s details (e.g. name and address)
To submit your application online, you will need to also upload the following documentation:
- a copy of your Mortgage Approval in Principle (AIP) from a Participating Lender (this must be valid for at least eight weeks from date of submission)
- photo ID for all homebuyers, valid for at least six months (e.g. passport, driver’s licence)
- current address verification (dated in the last six months) for all homebuyers e.g. bank statement, recent utility bill – gas, electric, telephone (landline only, mobile phone bills will not be accepted)
- a copy of your NoT (if you are a tenant looking to purchase the home you are currently renting)
- estimated build costs if you are looking to self-build your home
No. There is no sharing of personal customer information between the FHS and Participating Lenders. The mortgage process and FHS process are independent of each other.
Step one: starting your journey
If you’re ready to get onto the property ladder, you’ll need to raise the funds through a mortgage, savings, and in some cases, assistance from the Help to Buy Scheme. If you find that you still have a shortfall in funds, you can visit www. firsthomescheme.ie and use the FHS eligibility calculator to calculate the minimum and maximum support you could potentially qualify for through the FHS. You don’t need to have a specific property in mind at this stage, however you’ll need to know the local authority area it’s in (please see interactive map on the FHS website).
Step two: your application
To start your FHS application, you’ll need a Mortgage Approval in Principle (AIP) from a Participating Lender. Once you have an AIP, you can register and apply for the FHS through the FHS customer portal.
The supporting documentation required to submit your FHS application includes:
- a copy of your AIP from a Participating Lender (this must be valid for at least eight weeks from date of submission)
- photo ID for all homebuyers, valid for at least another six months (e.g. passport, driver’s licence)
- current address verification (dated in the last six months) for all homebuyers (e.g. bank statement, recent utility bill – gas, electric, telephone (landline only, mobile phone bills will not be accepted))
- a copy of your NoT (if you are a tenant looking to purchase the home you are currently renting)
- a copy of your estimated build costs if you are looking to self-build your home
Step three: receiving your Eligibility Certificate
Your application and documentation will be reviewed and, if approved, you’ll receive an Eligibility Certificate.
It is important to understand that the Eligibility Certificate is not an offer from the FHS, but an indicative estimate of the minimum and maximum amount of equity you qualify for based on the information you provided.
You will need to provide the Eligibility Certificate to your Participating Lender who will consider the FHS when they process your mortgage application.
If you are approved for a Mortgage, your Participating Lender will give you a Mortgage Letter of Offer and you can move to the next step of the process.
Step four: receiving your Customer Contract
The Mortgage Letter of Offer should be uploaded to your FHS customer portal, as well as any other required documents outlined in your Eligibility Certificate for assessment by the First Home Scheme.
For Self-builds, this will include certified build costs from a qualified architect, engineer, or quantity surveyor and a certified valuation as instructed by your Participating Lender.
If your FHS application is approved, you’ll receive a copy of your Customer Contract for the equity facility. The Customer Contract is the formal legal contract between you and the FHS. The Customer Contract and solicitor instructions will also be sent to your solicitor and must be signed by you and witnessed by your solicitor. You will also need to sign a declaration that you meet the eligibility criteria for the FHS, that you understand that you have been advised to seek independent legal and financial advice, and that you understand the terms and conditions of the equity facility.
Step five: getting your new home
The signed Customer Contract, and all declarations and forms should be returned to the FHS by your solicitor to complete the application.
The FHS will then release funds to your solicitor’s account, and your solicitor can finalise the property purchase on your behalf in parallel with the mortgage process.
Your FHS equity facility is now set up and we will issue you with a welcome letter.
For Self-builds, in order to draw down the FHS funding, your solicitor must confirm your Participating Lender has released their first stage payment and you must provide a Certified Property Report to confirm works complete and to be completed. At least 50% of the works for which FHS funding is required must be certified as complete in order to draw down the FHS Equity Facility. Once your self-build is complete, you will need to submit a final valuation and a Certificate of Compliance (if applicable) to the FHS.
From this point on, you’ll receive an annual statement. This will contain up to date information on the FHS equity facility and reflect any redemption payments and service charges applied.
It’s also important you maintain adequate building insurance for the property as set out under your Participating Lender’s Mortgage Letter of Offer.
Your Eligibility Certificate expires on the same date as your Mortgage Approval in Principle (AIP) from the Participating Lender.
For example:
You receive an AIP from a Participating Lender and it’s valid until 01st September 2022, meaning your Eligibility Certificate will also be valid until 01st September 2022, regardless of when the certificate was issued.
Home Purchase (private development):
Your Customer Contract expires on the same date as your Mortgage Letter of Offer from the Participating Lender.
Self-build (own site):
You have 12 months to drawdown your FHS equity from the date you sign your FHS Customer Contract.
Yes, you can make changes online up until the point when you submit your application to FHS. Once submitted, your application will be locked. If you want to make any changes to the application (for example, change applicant names or property details) you should contact the FHS through the FHS customer portal, or you can call the FHS customer contact centre on 0818 275 662.
In addition to life cover for your mortgage, it is recommended you have sufficient cover for the equity share under the FHS.
Yes, you must always maintain adequate building insurance for the property. You will be asked to provide evidence that the FHS’ interest is noted on the Home Insurance policy or alternatively, a letter from the insurance company confirming that it is not possible to note FHS’ interest on the Home Insurance policy.
Yes, you can withdraw your application at any stage before the FHS release funds to your solicitor. If you choose to withdraw your application, we will retain the information provided by you in your application in line with the FHS Personal Data Retention Policy.
If you would like further information about the FHS Personal Data Retention Policy or how we process your Personal Data, please refer to our Privacy Notice on our website, or contact us by email at [email protected].
Yes, you can reapply at a later date once you satisfy the eligibility rules for application. Please contact one of our agents should you wish to submit a subsequent application.
