Homeowners in Serious Arrears Urged to Look Into Mortgage to Rent
Stephen Curtis, CEO, Irish Homes · By George Morahan · Business Plus, 31 August 2026
Business Plus reports on Irish Homes' analysis of more than 600 Mortgage to Rent cases. On average, homeowners who used the scheme were in 27% negative equity, which shows that negative equity is still a major cause of mortgage arrears even as house prices rise.
Rising prices bring a risk of their own. The scheme caps the value of the home (€265,000 to €515,000, depending on the county) and the positive equity allowed (€40,000 or €50,000). Homeowners who have tried other options and believe their mortgage is no longer sustainable are encouraged to talk to their lender or a mortgage arrears adviser soon.
Key Figures
- 27% average negative equity across 600+ Mortgage to Rent cases
- €325,968 average outstanding mortgage debt
- €256,299 average open market value (from €100,000 to €465,000)
- 41% single parent families, 31% single adults, 28% couples or multi-adult households
- 49% suburban, 29% rural, 22% urban
- 7 in 10 homeowners in their 50s or 60s; the oldest was 81
What Stephen Curtis Said
"Many of the people reaching us are still in negative equity, with mortgage debt that their property cannot fully cover. They may have lived with that burden for years and believe there is no sustainable way forward."
"Property values are increasing in many parts of the country. And while that may sound like positive news, for somebody considering Mortgage to Rent, if their home becomes too valuable or builds up equity beyond the scheme's limits, an option available today may no longer be available later. So, waiting to avail of an MTR solution can carry a real risk."
"Our message is simple. Do not wait until your circumstances reach a crisis point. If your mortgage is unsustainable, seek an assessment now and establish whether you qualify."
"Rising prices are not, in themselves, a solution for households in this position. With average negative equity of 27% on outstanding mortgage debt of over €325,000, a recovery in property values would need to be substantial and sustained before a sale could realistically clear the debt owed."
"Even where a sale is possible, it would not solve the underlying housing need – because many of these homeowners don't want to move away from everything they know - schools, family supports, communities. This is particularly pertinent for older homeowners who have lived for many years in a certain area."
"While it's never a first port of call, for the reason I've outlined, MTR can be a very workable solution because it allows people to remain in their home and community."
Quotes from Business Plus, 31 August 2026.
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