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Record Numbers Reveal Growth at Rosslare Port

In the wake of Brexit, Rosslare has become Ireland’s number one port for direct freight and passenger services to the EU.  There are 58 weekly UK services and over 34 services between Rosslare and Bilabo, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Dunkirk and Zeebrugge.

Passenger numbers have made almost a full post-Covid recovery, over 550,000 people used the port last year.

Investments referenced include a Rosslare Europort Masterplan worth in excess of €30million.

The continued growth can only be greeted as a massive positive for the entire region and hopes are high it will continue on its current trajectory in 2023 and beyond.

 

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Grants of up to €50,000 for renovations

The government announced earlier this month that people are now entitled to up to €50,000. This money can be used to renovate a vacant property to make it habitable. The grant is available to anyone who plans to turn a vacant house into their permanent home. If you are eligible for the grant you are entitled to €30,000 up front payment and an additional €20,000 is the property is derelict.

There are certain criteria that must be met before you are entitled to the grant.

  1. Your home must be vacant for at least two years before you are entitled to it.
  2. The home must have been built before 1993.
  3. You must 0wn or be in the process of buying the property.
  4. You must live at the property once the renovations are complete.
  5. You must have tax clearance from Revenue and Local Property Tax must be paid if applicable.

The grant covers a range of work such as, demolition and site clearance, foundations, walls, damp proofing, plumbing, electrical work and all other aspects of the building process. All work must be completed by professionals and invoices will be required.

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Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022

New legislation regarding the deferment dates of certain Tenancies was brought in by the RTB in Oct 2022 due to the ongoing acute supply constraints in the residential rental sector, and the expected increase in homelessness presentations over the winter period.

The new termination dates are as follows,

The tenancy duration is less than 6 months, and the tenancy was due to end between 30 October 2022 – 31 March 2023.
The tenancy will now end on 1 May 2023.

The tenancy duration is less than 6 months, and the tenancy was due to end between 01 February 2023 – 31 March 2023.
The tenancy will now end on 18 June 2023.

The tenancy duration is 6 months – 1 year and the tenancy was due to end between 30 October 2022 – 31 January 2023.
The tenancy will now end on 1 May 2023.

The tenancy duration is 6 months – 1 year and the tenancy was due to end between 01 February 2023 – 31 March 2023.
The tenancy will now end on 01 June 2023.

The tenancy duration is 1 year – 7 years and the tenancy was due to end between 30 October 2023 – 31 January 2023.
The tenancy will now end on 15 April 2023.

The tenancy duration is 1 year – 7 years and the tenancy was due to end between 01 February 2023 – 31 March 2023.
The tenancy will now end on 1 May 2023.

The tenancy duration is 7+ years and the tenancy was due to end between 30 October 2023 – 31 January 2023.
The tenancy will now end on 1 April 2023.

 

The usual rules for terminating a tenancy still apply (for example the requirement to serve a valid Notice of Termination and give the correct notice period).

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The Sunny Southeast

The Sunny Southeast is officially the Sunniest County in Ireland. Rosslare has been revealed to be the sunniest town in Ireland. According to a recent study by the Irish Independant they found that Rosslare has consistantly more sunshine that any other town in Ireland. The extreme Southeast averages over 7 hours a day in early summer leading to 1600 hours of sunshine annually. The weather is one attraction for people to come to Wexford but there is so much more to make you enjoy your stay.

If you are looking for a more long term stay in Wexford we at Kearney & Co have an array of properties both for sale and rental. Contact the office if you have any queries buying, selling or letting.

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RTB 2022

The RTB have recently announced that from the 4th of April 2022 it is mandatory to renew all residential tenancies annually, within one month of the anniversary of the tenancy.  This change will take immediate effect on all new and current tenancies. There will be no late fee charge for the first three months to allow for landlords adapt to the changes. All information on what details are needed a to renew a tenancy can be found on the RTB website.

The fees to renew a tenancy have been changed, the new standard tenancy registration fee is €40. Any fee that is not paid within one month of the anniversary of the lease will be subject to a late fee of €10 every month until the tenancy has been registered or renewed.

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Curracloe Beach Crowned The Number One Beach in Ireland

Curracloe beach has once again been crowned the number one beach in Ireland by the Reader Travel Awards 2022. This competition was judged by some of the best hoteliers and travel journalists in Ireland including the likes of John and Francis Brennan. Curracloe is known for its blue flag beach, sandy dunes and great nature walk, but this is just the tip of the iceberg of what Wexford has to offer. Curracloe is without doubt one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland but it is just one of Wexford’s amazing beaches. If you are looking for a new adventure there are many options such as Duncannon beach which is in a lovely village just 25 minutes from Wexford Town, there is also Cahore Beach which is on the North side of Wexford closer to Gorey and lastly the very popular Morriscastle beach in Kilmuckridge which has a number of caravan sites in the coastline. These are just some of the beaches Wexford has to offer.

Wexford is also known for its rich history making it great for activities all throughout the year. From Hook Head Lighthouse to Ferns Castle where the King of Leinster used to live. There is also something to do for all ages whether this means going to the Opera House in Wexford Town or a day in Courtown where there’s arcades, an adventure centre and much more. No matter where in Wexford you are you are never too far away from a beautiful landmark or a nice day out.

Wexford’s economy and business opportunities are also growing with the new and improved Rosslare Europort and many international companies setting up in the Sunny South East such as the Bank of New York Mellon, Danone and Infosys. There is definitely no shortage of employment opportunities in Wexford if you are thinking of a relocation.

We at Kearney & Co have sold all throughout Wexford from Kilmore Quay to Gorey. If you are looking at buying or selling in Wexford you can call us to book a free appraisal or advice on buying or selling. Whether it is an 2 Bedroom Apartment or 5 Bedroom Detached House we will talk you through all steps of the sale and ensure that everything goes as smooth as possible.

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Government Aim to Deliver 300,000 New Homes by the end 2030

4 Billion Per Year Housing For All Plan

The Government have announced there new 4 billion per year housing for all plan to help tackle the current housing crisis in Ireland. There new plans include the aims to build 300,000 new homes in Ireland, there plans are to ramp up the supply of housing in hopes to tackle the housing crisis which includes a pledge to end homelessness by the end of the decade.

The cabinet met on the 2nd of September to sign off on the plans which were officially announced by Darragh O’Brien the Minister of Housing alongside Taoisech Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan.

The plans for the 300,000 new homes were announced with the first 90,000 homes to be deliverved as social housing, with an additional 36,000 affordable properties over the next 9 years. 18,000 of these new homes will be designated cost rental which means the rent will be at least 25% less that the current market rent. The remaining 156,000 or 52% of the houses are to be delivered through the private housing market.

The LDA (Land Development Agency) are tasked with delivering housing on state owned land. There will also be 500 million of an initiative fund to encourage both private developers and local authority’s to make the development sites viable. The plan will initially be funded over the next five years to the tune of €20.5 billion, including €12 billion in direct exchequer funding, €5 billion provided through the Housing Fianance Agency and the €3.5 billion from the LDA.

Sources say that 4 billion in funding would be maintained bringing which would total to 36 billion in spending by the end of 2030.

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The Central Bank Mortgage Rules

Kearney Property, Central Bank Lending Rules

The Central Bank of Ireland has a series of lending rules in place for residential property which are reviewed on an annual basis.  For 2020, these rules remain unchanged.  Here’s a reminder of what they are:

Loan-to-Value Limits

The LTV limit requires you to have a minimum deposit before you can get a mortgage. The size of this deposit depends on what category of buyer you are.

  • First-time-buyers need to have a minimum deposit of 10%
  • Second and subsequent buyers need to have a minimum deposit of 20%
  • Buy-to-let buyers need to have a minimum deposit of 30%.

Banks and other lenders have the freedom to lend a certain amount above these limits. In any one calendar year they can give an allowance to:

  • Up to 5% of the value of mortgages to first time buyers
  • Up to 20% of the value of mortgages to second and subsequent buyers
  • Up to 10% of the value of mortgages to buy-to-let buyers.

Loan-to-Income Limits

The LTI limit restricts the amount of money you can borrow to a maximum of 3.5 times your gross income. So for example, a couple with a combined income of €100,000 can borrow up to a maximum of €350,000.

Lenders do have the freedom to lend a certain amount above these limits. In any one calendar year they can give an allowance to:

  • Up to 20% of the value of mortgages to first-time buyers
  • Up to 10% of the value of mortgages to second and subsequent buyers
  • Up to 10% of the value of mortgages to buy-to-let buyers

The measures are designed to ensure that banks and other lenders lend money sensibly. They are also designed to stop house buyers from borrowing more than they can afford and prevent excess credit from building up within the Irish financial system.

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Energy Efficient Home Heating

Kearney Property, Home Heating

We are all well aware that Ireland is consistently failing to achieve its carbon emission targets set by the EU.  Whilst major reform can only be brought about at Government level, we can all do our bit in our homes to reduce carbon emissions, reduce energy and help save our planet. 

More than 70% of the average household energy consumption is used by central heating systems.  The average homeowner spends €1,850 heating their home each year. 

But it’s November.  There’s a definite nip in the air and we need to heat our homes.  What are the most energy efficient options and what can we do to cut down on heating usage?

Insulation
Quality insulation reduces the amount of heat needed to warm our homes.  There are three types of wall insulation: cavity wall insulation and, external wall insulation and internal dry lining. On average, a home loses between 20 – 30% of its heat through walls. You can save up to €600 per year on heating bills through properly insulating your walls.  Grants for insulation are available in many circumstances that range from €300 for attic insulation, to €6,000 for external wall insulation.

Heat pumps
Grants are also available for heat pump systems.  These are electrical devices which convert energy from the air outside into useful heat, in the same way a fridge extracts heat from its inside. In well-insulated houses they are very economical to run. They are an extremely efficient alternative to traditional oil, gas, solid fuel and electric home heating systems. Once the heat is within the pump, it is distributed within the home through radiators, underfloor heating or warm air units.

Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems
These systems are best for new or renovated buildings.  The HRV System recovers heat from the air that is evaporated from the hot water used in bathrooms and kitchens and then transfers this heat into fresh air that is ventilated into your home.

Electricity Supplier
Switching to a renewable energy electricity supplier will reduce your home’s carbon dioxide emissions. Before switching, compare tariffs to get one that works for you.

Zoned Heating
Ensure your heating system has the ability to heat particular zones of your home independently of each other, for example, downstairs only.  One switch to power the whole house is extremely wasteful. 

Biomass Boiler
Biomass boilers use wood chips, wood pellets or logs as their primary source of fuel.  They need more space to install since they are bigger than the average oil-fired boilers.  Also ensure you can source a fuel supplier before installing. 

Under-Floor Hot Water Pipes
Hot water pipes significantly reduce the household energy consumption when you install them under the floorboards. Much easier to do when building rather than altering afterwards. 

Radiator Panels
Radiator panels are among the most affordable energy efficiency measures that can be taken in a home.  They are also easy to install and require little maintenance. Radiator panels work by reflecting the heat produced by the radiators to ensure that the heat warms up the room instead of the walls.

Thermostat
The higher you set your heating appliance, the higher the household energy consumption levels. At 18⁰C, your house is warm and comfortable.  Set your radiator thermostat and the individual radiator valves to maintain this temperature. 

Rearrange your Furniture
The layout of your furniture may determine the heat absorption rates of your house. For instance, a couch positioned in front of a radiator absorbs the heat and so more heat is generated to warm the room.  Moving the sofa away from the heater helps heat circulate freely. You should position furniture pieces with dense fabric away from your central heating appliance.

Curtains
Open curtains during the day to allow sunlight to enter the house.  The heat from the sun will help maintain warm temperatures.  Close them when it starts to get dark outside as they add an extra layer of insulation at night needed to maintain warmth.

Small changes will make a big difference.

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Student Accommodation? Do Your Homework.

With the new college year just upon us, there are still students finding it difficult to source accommodation.  At this stage, students may be tempted to take ‘anything’.  However, a rash decision will most certainly lead to regret in the long run. 

Here are our top tips for students around the country who are looking for accommodation.

  1. If you are using a letting agent to source accommodation for you, make sure the agent is registered with the Property Services Regulatory Authority. Letting Agents, Estate Agents and Auctioneers in the Republic of Ireland are all required to register with the PSRA.  Unfortunately, this time of year usually sees an increase in bogus letting agents, set out to specifically target students.  Unlicensed letting agents are breaking the law and do not provide any consumer protection. 
  2. Never pay a deposit or rent online or over the phone without meeting the landlord or agency first.
  3. After viewing the property and if you are happy to proceed, pay electronically by bank transfer if possible, as cash isn’t traceable. If you have to pay in cash, make sure you always get a receipt.
  4. Before you move in, create an inventory list of the contents.  Take pictures of any damages so that anything that was already broken, chipped, peeled or damaged doesn’t get taken out of your deposit as a penalty.
  5. Make sure the contract you sign is for the period you intend to stay in the accommodation. For example, if you intend to leave for the summer, the contract should only be for the college term and not for 12 months. 
  6. Don’t just trust your gut instinct.  Be vigilant and use the supports available through the Accommodation Office of your college.  Remember if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.