Frequently Asked Questions - Rinnucinni

1.1. What is the Homes-2-Buy Deposit Scheme?

The Homes-2-Buy scheme enables you to purchase your home without the need for a bank loan . Instead of paying rent, you can pay a deposit ( from €5000) and  a monthly payment, just like a mortgage with a bank. At any time, the purchaser has the option to switch to a main bank, with no exit fees or costs of any kind . Every month, the remaining cost of the house reduces, because a proportion of their monthly payment is used to reduce the house cost, just like a bank loan.
 

 1.2. How do I qualify for this scheme?

You need to supply the following information to ONS to enable us to make a decision:

• ICB – Independent Credit Bureau report (you can fill this in by logging onto www.icb.ie).
• Payslips for three months.
• Bank statement(s) for three months.
• Proof of permanent employment.

1.3. How quickly is the decision made?

A decision will be made within 48 hours of receipt of the above information.
 

 1.4. What are the risks for the purchaser?

The initial deposit is non-refundable and the monthly instalments are also non-refundable. 
 

1.5. Is there a difference between a Rent-2-Buy and Homes-2-Buy scheme?

The Homes-2-Buy is for people who wish to own their own home; it is not for renters. The house comes fully tiled, complete with floor covering, and is unfurnished.

Typically, Rent-2-Buy schemes involve renters. The houses are furnished, while occupants have tenancy rights and get rent allowance from the state. A development based on a Rent-2-Buy scheme often leads to social issues that arise from rental properties.
 

1.6. Do I get rent allowance?

No. This is not a Rent-2-Buy scheme. You are not renting. You are purchasing your new home and are paying a deposit by instalments.
 

1.7. Will I get mortgage interest relief?

You do not get interest relief with is scheme.
 

1.8. Why a Homes-2-Buy Scheme?

As developers, we have houses which are fully complete. Many customers have told us that they have good jobs but are unable to pay rent and save a deposit at the same time. This scheme enables them to do so.
  

1.9. Is the price of the house fixed?

Yes. The price of your home is fixed at the agreed price.
 

1.10. What happens if house prices drop?

If you are currently in rented accommodation, the rent will go to the property owner, so this money is lost anyway. House prices in Rinncinni are unlikely to fall by more than the monthly payments.
 

1.11.What happens if house prices rise?

The agreed price does not change so you benefit by saving rent. We guarantee not to raise house prices.
 

1.12. What happens if the builder goes bust?

The company is family owned and based locally, and a banker’s reference is available to your solicitor on request for the company and for the directors.

The scheme is built to the very highest standards and the roads and services are bonded with Allianz, a major insurance bonding company. The quality of the bond has been independently inspected and approved by Laois County Council.
 

1.13.Will units be released for social houses under this scheme?

The scheme is available only for purchasers and not available for social houses.
 
 

2. ABOUT PORTLAOISE TOWN

2.1. How far is it from Dublin?

Portlaoise is located approximately 45 minutes from Citywest. Rinnucinni is located within a minutes drive from Junction 16, which will allow immediate access to the motorway. There are no traffic lights until Newland’s Cross.
 

2.2. What transport links are available in Portlaoise?

1. Motorway
   Portlaoise is located at the centre of the motorway network. The Dublin-Cork and the Dublin-Limerick motorways intersect in Portlaoise and, currently, you can travel from your new home onto the motorway and from there journey (by motorway) to Belfast, Cork, Limerick or Galway.
2. Trains
   Trains travel regularly to Dublin and Cork from Portlaoise; timetables are available on www.irishrail.ie. Bellingham is just a six-minute drive from the train station.
3. Buses
   A bus stop to Dublin is located directly outside the development. Buses travel daily on hourly schedules from Portlaoise to Dublin. For timetables, visit:
   • www.buseireann.ie
   • www.jjkavanagh.ie
   • www.dublincoach.ie
    
4. Luas
   The Red Cow ‘Park and Ride’ facility is only a 50-minute drive from Rinnucinni.

2.3. What facilities/amenities are located in Portlaoise town?

Portlaoise is the capital town of Laois and offers a host of facilities, services and amenities.

1. Leisure
   • Roll ‘n’ Bowl bowling alley and entertainment centre
   • Storm cinema
   • Numerous pubs and night clubs
   • Restaurants
   • Shops
   • Four-star Heritage Hotel
   • Town Parks, on the Timahoe Road and Ridge Road
   • Nearby the Grand Canal in the picturesque village of Vicarstown and the scenic beauty and walks of the fabulous Slieve Bloom mountains, also renowned for its traditional culture and story telling festivals.
    
2. Entertainment
   • Live concerts/events in Sky Venue
   • Dunamaise Theatre and Arts Centre
   • Internet cafés
   • For children and teenagers there are well established drama groups, youth clubs and a highly rated Laois School of Music
   • Of course Portlaoise is only 5 minutes away from the world renowned Electric Picnic festival in the nearby village of Stradbally
    
3. Sport
   • Portlaoise Leisure Centre
   • FAI Centre of Excellence for budding soccer stars
   • Portlaoise GAA – catering for football, hurling and camogie
   • Portlaoise Rugby Club
   • Portlaoise Soccer Club
   • Portlaoise also caters for a range of alternative and minority sports. It has a thriving Trinity Triathlon club, four indoor swimming pools, all-weather   pitches, basketball and boxing clubs, a full range equestrian pursuits and even a surf club!!
   • The nearby Rivers Nore and Barrow as well as the Grand Canal are an angler’ paradise.
    

2.4. How many schools are in the area?

Rinnucinni is located on the Dublin Road, and is near the new School complex, giving choice and variety for parents and students. 

3. ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT

3.1. What amenities exist nearby?

Rinnucinni is located within a minutes walk of Kilminchy Village Centre, where you will find O'Gormans Pub, Spar, and a Chinese and Indian Restaurant. In addition a Creche, and a home for the elderly are also available for those who require these facilities.
 

3.2. Where are the crèches located?

A crèche exists immediately adjacent to Rinnucinni, literally within a few minutes walk. For a complete list, please ask our sales team.
 

3.3. What are the maintenance and management fees?

A fee of €200 is charged at the time of purchase and this covers the maintenance of common areas until it is taken over by Laois County Council.

After this time, a Residents’ Association is ordinarily formed to maintain the common areas. Responsibility for the front and back gardens rests with the owners of the houses.
 

3.4. Are there designated social houses on this site?

Eight per cent of the houses are designated as social houses, which is significantly below the normal of 10-20 per cent.
 

3.5. What parking facilities are available?

Car park spaces are legally transferred to the homeowner and the owner can prevent anybody else from parking on their car park space if they wish.

The location of the space for your house can be seen on the site map and our sales team will be happy to clarify this for you if required.
 

3.6. Why are the front gardens small?

Front gardens have been designed to minimise maintenance and to look attractive. There are large communal areas for the enjoyment of everyone.
 

3.7. Who maintains the green space?

The builder will maintain the open spaces until the development is taken in charge by the County Council. A charge of €200 is applied on closing to cover this cost, which includes maintenance of the sewers, drainage and planting of the common areas.
 

4. ABOUT THE HOUSE

4.1. What warranties exist for my new home?

The house structure is guaranteed by Homebond for a ten-year period. The appliances and equipment are covered by the manufacturer’s guarantee (usually for one year).

In addition, ONS give a defects guarantee for six months to cover any fault that might arise in connection with your new home. Our dedicated customer care line is 087/937.6736
 

4.2. Are homes block-built or timber-frame construction?

The houses are block built using 9” cavity blocks and achieve superb insulation values.
 

4.3. What BER rating does the house have?

All houses achieve a ‘B’ rating in Bellingham.
 

4.4. Is the house well insulated?

All houses are certified to achieve a ‘B’ BER Rating. A BER certificate will be issued for your new home to confirm this. The houses are insulated using double foiled back high performance insulation and are very cost effective to run.
 

4.5. How much tiling is done in the bathroom?

Tiling in the bathroom and in the ensuite covers the floor and the walls from floor to ceiling and can be seen in the show house.
 

4.6. Is there a choice of tiles?

There is a choice of four tile types, four kitchens and four floor coverings. You can select these for your house if the house is not already complete.
 

4.7. Will noise travel from one semi-detached house to another?

No. Noise reduction measures have been used to prevent this. Independent tests have been carried out to confirm that noise levels are kept to a minimum. The dividing walls are constructed with 225mm solid concrete block work, which has then been plastered to minimise noise transfer.
 

4.8. How are houses heated?

Mains gas is supplied and fitted to an A-Rated modern modulating and condenser boiler to obtain 90.4% efficiency.
 

4.9. Can I control the heat in my house?

Yes. Individual room thermostats enable you to adjust the heat in each individual room. In addition, a master thermostat controls the maximum temperature of any one room.
 

4.10. Who maintains the front and back gardens?

The homeowner is responsible for the general maintenance and upkeep of the house, as well as their front and back gardens.
 

5. ABOUT THE DEVELOPERS

5.1. What previous schemes have the developers completed fully?

ONS are the biggest and best builder in Laois. To date, the company has completed Fairgreen Village, Portlaoise (500 houses), with a pub, crèche, shops, restaurants and offices, as well as the Esker Hills (500 houses) development.

The developments have been sold out and Laois County Council has taken both Fairgreen Village and Esker Hills in charge.
 

6. USEFUL LINKS

LEISURE, ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS

Roll ‘n’ Bowl: http://www.bowlingireland.com/
Storm Cinemas: http://www.stormcinemas.ie/portlaoise/
Portlaoise info: http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-places-to-go/placefinder/p/portlaoise-laois
More info: http://www.portlaoiseontheweb.com/
Pubs: http://www.goireland.com/laois/pubs-in-laois-county-page1.htm
Restaurants: http://www.findarestaurant.ie/Restaurants_In_Laois.htm
Portlaoise Heritage Hotel: http://www.theheritagehotel.com/
Sky Venue Portlaoise: http://www.skyvenue.ie
Dunamaise Theatre: http://www.dunamaise.ie/
Portlaoise Leisure Centre: http://portlaoiseleisurecentre.ie/
Portlaoise Sports Clubs: http://www.portlaoiseontheweb.com/sportsclubs.html

TRANSPORT

Irish Rail: www.irishrail.ie
Bus Eireann: http://www.buseireann.ie
JJ Kavanagh Coaches: www.jjkavanagh.ie
Dublin Coach: http://www.dublincoach.ie/
Luas: http://www.luas.ie/

OTHER

Laois County Council: www.laois.ie