ABHAILE SCHEME
Abhaile is a service to help homeowners find a resolution to home mortgage arrears. It provides vouchers for free financial and legal advice and help from experts. We can apply for these vouchers which are available through MABS (money advice & budgeting service).
The aim of Abhaile is to help mortgage holders in arrears to find the best solutions and keep them wherever possible, in the family home.
If you are in home mortgage arrears, we will work with you and your lender to find the best solution for your situation. And we will help you to apply to Abhaile so that this service is at no cost to you.
Abhaile - Free Mortgage Arrears Support, offers borrowers who are at risk of losing their homes the opportunity to deal with their mortgage arrears through the help of a comprehensive range of expert supports. The aim of the scheme is to help mortgage holders in arrears to find the best solutions and keep them wherever possible, in their own homes.
There is no cost if you qualify for the scheme
The Scheme is 100% State funded. If you qualify for the Scheme, there is no charge for the borrower to use these services.
In order to qualify under the Abhaile scheme, you must be:
- In mortgage arrears on your home.
- Insolvent. This means that you are unable to pay your debts in full as they fall due. Your Personal Insolvency Practitioner (PIP) will be able to help you to work this out.
- At risk of losing your home because of arrears. For example, you may have received a letter from your lender to say that you are not co-operating, that your mortgage is unsustainable, or inviting you to consider selling or surrendering your home, or saying that they are going to begin repossession proceedings or that proceedings have already begun.
- 'Reasonably accommodated'. This means that the costs of continuing to live in your home are not disproportionately expensive. This takes into account your reasonable living accommodation needs and those of your dependants, and the costs of alternative accommodation in your case. Your PIP will be able to tell you whether you meet these conditions.
If your mortgage arrears relate only to a buy-to-let property, you are not covered by the Scheme. However, if you are in mortgage arrears on your home, and you also own a buy-to-let, you will still be eligible if you satisfy the above conditions.
This involves debt advice and personal insolvency solutions. We can consider your options under insolvency and give advice on bankruptcy. By carrying out a full assessment of your financial situation, options can be explored and written advice issued suggesting the best option available to deal with mortgage arrears. We will prepare your ‘Prescribed Financial Statement’ (PFS) in order to do this.
