Cost rental income limits, explained with real rents
The €66,000 and €59,000 limits, the 35% rule, and the income you'd need for rents listed in October 2026.
Every cost rental scheme in Ireland, in one place.
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Taking applications now
Closing soonest first. Rents are per month.
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Closes 17:00
Ard na Sailí
Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork
- 1 bed
- €1,200
- 2 bed
- €1,500
- 3 bed
- €1,714
2 days left Apply -
Closes 14:00
Bennetstown
Dunboyne, Co. Meath
- 2 bed
- €1,495
3 days left Apply -
Closes 12:00
Cookstown Gateway
Cookstown, Dublin 24
- Studio
- €1,017
- 1 bed
- €1,250
- 2 bed
- €1,529
3 days left Apply -
Closes 14:00
Furzefield
Swords, Co. Dublin
- 1 bed
- €1,395
- 2 bed
- €1,650
4 days left Apply -
Closes 12:00
Harman’s Rest
Turvey Avenue, Donabate, Co. Dublin
- 1 bed
- €1,509
- 2 bed
- €1,705
- 3 bed
- €1,800
14 days left Apply
Opening soon
Looking to buy instead? 21 affordable purchase schemes are open
Could you qualify?
Your household's income after tax has to be under €66,000 in Dublin or €59,000 anywhere else, and the rent can't be more than 35% of it.
All the rules, including which home sizes fit your household
Homes let at what they cost, not what the market will pay
Cost rental rents cover the cost of building, managing and maintaining the homes. That puts them at least 25% below market rents in the area, on long, secure tenancies.
From announcement to keys
We email you at the first two points, so you never find out after the window has closed.
Announced
The LDA often lists a scheme as coming soon, with the date applications open.
Applications open
Usually for one to four weeks. Applying early doesn't improve your chances.
Random draw
Eligible applicants are picked at random for each home type.
Documents
If you're picked, the LDA gives you 72 hours to upload proof of income.
Offer
Successful applicants are offered a long-term tenancy.
Cost rental by county
Open schemes, past schemes and the income limit for each county.
From the blog
The rules, the lottery and the paperwork, explained with real schemes.
How the cost rental lottery works
Why applying on day one doesn't help, how many people apply, and what happens in the 72 hours after you're picked.
What to get ready before you apply for cost rental
If you're picked, you may have 72 hours to prove your income. Here's what to gather before the draw, not after it.
Questions people ask
What is cost rental?
Cost rental homes are let at what it costs to build, manage and maintain them, rather than at market rent. The tenure was created by the Affordable Housing Act 2021, and rents are at least 25% below market rents in the area. Tenancies are long-term and secure.
Who can apply for cost rental?
Your household's net income must be below €66,000 a year in Dublin or €59,000 elsewhere. You can't be getting social housing supports such as HAP or Rent Supplement, or own a property in Ireland or abroad. Your household size has to suit the home, and the rent can't be more than 35% of your net income. Check your income.
How are the homes given out?
Each scheme takes applications for a set window, often one to four weeks. The LDA then picks eligible applicants at random by lottery, so applying on the last day gives you the same chance as applying on the first. Other providers publish their own rules on each listing.
How long do I have to send documents if I'm picked?
The LDA gives successful applicants 72 hours to upload proof of income and other documents, after which the offer goes to the next person drawn. Have payslips, bank statements and references ready before you apply.
Can I apply for more than one home size?
Yes, if your household fits each size. The LDA allows one application per household for each home type, and applying twice for the same type gets you disqualified. Which sizes fit your household.
Is Cost Rental Watch official?
No. It is an independent, free service that checks lda.ie and newstarterhomes.ie every 30 minutes and links to the official listings. You always apply on the provider's own site, and we never take applications or payments.