General Mortgage FAQs

• Things may have changed since you last got your mortgage – Central Bank Rules will now come into play, for instance. So how much you can borrow will be based on your income, your house price, and what you can afford.
• You can borrow a maximum of 90% of the value of the property.
• The amount you can borrow also depends on what you can comfortably afford to repay monthly, this typically should not exceed 35% of your disposable income. It’s that comfort cushion.
• Why not use our mortgage calculator to see what you can afford?

• Competitive interest rates including variable rate relative to your loan to value and fixed rates.
• For customers who are unsure of what type of rate to select, EBS provide the option of splitting the loan amount in two, so you can have both the variable interest rate on a portion of the loan and a fixed interest rate on the remaining portion of the loan.
• You can borrow up to 90% of the value of the property - Loan To Value (LTV).
• Up to 80% loan to value is available for a studio apartment valued at €275,000 or above, or a one bedroom property. We do not lend to buy studio apartments valued at under €275,000.
• Repayment term up to 35 years, depending on the age of the borrowers.
• You will need to be over 18 and security will be required before you can get a mortgage.

• You will need mortgage protection cover which can be arranged through us or you may get it through another insurance company.
• Keep in mind you will also need money for a valuation fee (you will need to use a valuer from the EBS Residential Mortgage Valuers panel), legal fees, maybe a surveyor and stamp duty. Also remember possible repairs and decoration costs on your new home.

• We take it you’re quite familiar with either a fixed or variable rate at this stage.
• But times have changed – and rates have changed along with them. You can check our current rates below, and our Mortgage Masters would be more than happy to guide you.
• You can see a full listing of our variable and fixed interest rates right here.
• If you take out a mortgage with a fixed rate of at least one year and decide to repay all or part of it early, if you change to a Variable Interest Rate; or, if you change to another Fixed Interest Rate we may charge you an early breakage fee. You can find information about how we calculate and when we charge this early breakage charge by clicking on ‘Home Mortgages General and Regulatory Information’ below and then selecting ‘Our mortgage interest rate options’.

• Ah, monthly home insurance. At this stage, you’re probably well acquainted. So we’re sure you’ll appreciate four months free home insurance. Yep, it’s a pretty good deal.
• This is the sort of craic that comes with two months free home insurance. Yep - that’s 16.67% off your first year’s home insurance bill.
• You might also agree that’s it’s nice to get something a cheaper in the first year of your mortgage, when a little extra in your pocket will go a long way. Your local mortgage advisor will be happy to have a chat about this.

• By rule of thumb, you can borrow 4.0 times your income.
• This will all depend on whether you’re a first time or next time buyer - the Central Bank rules will come into play here, and the amount you can borrow will be based on your income, your house price, and what you can afford.
• For First Time Buyers, maximum Loan To Value (LTV) available is 90% of the site cost/value plus cost of construction or 90% of the valuation on completion, whichever is lower.
• For Second Time Buyers, maximum Loan To Value (LTV) available is 90% of the site cost/value plus cost of construction or 90% of the valuation on completion, whichever is lower.
• We’ll also need to make sure you can still live within your means. The amount you can borrow also depends on what you can comfortably afford to repay monthly, this typically should not exceed 35% of your disposable income. It’s all about that comfort cushion.
• Why not use our mortgage calculator to see what you can afford.

• Competitive interest rates including variable rate relative to your loan to value and fixed rates.
• For customers who are unsure of what type of rate to select, we have the option of splitting the loan amount in two, so you can have the variable interest rate on a portion of the loan and a fixed interest rate on the remaining portion of the loan.
• Repayment term up to 35 years, depending on the age of the borrowers
• You will need to be over 18 and security will be required before you can get a mortgage.

• You will need to have Mortgage Protection Cover which can be arranged through us or you arrange it through another insurance company.
• You’ll need to be at least 18 to take out a mortgage and can choose a term of up to 35 years, depending on your age. Security will be required.
• Self-builders can draw down their cash in up to six stages, as your home is being built – so you can borrow only what you need across the period of the build (which is handy).
• Cash- flow is king when building your own home, so you can apply for interest only repayments for the first 12 months or until the final valuation, whichever comes first. Having an interest-only period will result in an additional cost of credit, which is the total cost of deferring capital during the interest-only period.
• You will need mortgage protection cover and home insurance. We can arrange this for you, no problem, or you can get it through another Insurance company.
• Keep in mind you will also need money for a valuation fee (you will need to use a valuer from the EBS Residential Mortgage Valuers panel), legal fees, maybe a surveyor and stamp duty. 

• Choosing between a variable or fixed interest rate for your mortgage doesn’t have to be tough – our Mortgage Masters are pretty clued in on both, and will guide you through the best one for your situation. Phew.
• A fixed interest rate will stay stable during the period of your loan, while the variable rate will fluctuate. You can check our rates here, and our mortgage masters would be more than happy to have a chat about the option for you.
• If you take out a mortgage with a fixed rate of at least one year and decide to repay all or part of it early, if you change to a variable interest rate, or, if you change to another fixed interest rate we may charge you an early breakage fee. You can find information about how we calculate and when we charge this early breakage charge by clicking on ‘Home Mortgages General and Regulatory Information’ below and then selecting ‘Our mortgage interest rate options’.
• And if you still can’t choose? Well, you don’t have to. You can have your cake and eat it too. For customers who are unsure of what type of rate to select, we give you the option of splitting the loan amount in two, so you can have the variable interest rate on a portion of the loan and a fixed interest rate on the remaining portion of the loan.

As well as home improvements, the equity in your home can be used for:

• Inheritance tax on a property
• Separation agreement payment
• Support for family buying a home of their own

It might sound complicated but our Mortgage Masters have done this hundreds of times and are here to help you through the journey.

Ask them to call you back here, and start the conversation today.

Budget, Budget, Budget

Know what you have to spend and be realistic with your budget. Think about including a contingency of 10% of the total cost as we all know surprises can arise once the work gets underway.

Qualifications are key

There are a lot of tricky building regulations so getting certified professionals on board to design, build and supervise your work ensures these are met. When picking an architect or builder, ask friends, family and colleagues for recommendations and check out their work.

Check out government grants

Everyone loves to save a little money so look into grants to see if they’re are available for the type of work you’re planning. This could help save you money on installation costs and reduce energy bills over time.  The Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland (SEAI) is a good source of information.

Don’t forget planning permission

Check with your architect to see if you’ll need planning permission. If you do, you’ll need both the full and final planning approval for the ‘grant of permission’ before starting the work and getting a formal loan offer from us. We will need to see the letter you received that lists any conditions to the planning.

The paperwork

If we give you the loan in stages we will ask you for certain documents for the build so we can release the next payment. Your architect, engineer or building surveyor will help you complete these documents. They are familiar with this process and your EBS Mortgage Master will always be on hand to help.

Other things

• You may need a solicitor to witness some documents when applying for a top-up mortgage.
• If you choose a top-up mortgage, your life assurance may be affected. If this is the case, you should review it to make sure it covers the extra amount you borrow. Similarly your home insurance may be affected if you're extending or altering the structure of your home. You should contact your insurers to check if any changes will affect your cover.
• Because the top-up mortgage loan is borrowed against the equity of your home, you'll need to have your home valued by an EBS approved valuer at a cost to you of €150. Your EBS Mortgage Master can tell you when you need to have the valuation done.

Ask your local Mortgage Master to call you back here and start the conversation today.

• Good question. A ‘Switcher’ Mortgage is one where EBS is re-financing or taking over an existing mortgage borrowing from another Lending Institution. So you can switch your mortgage without switching home!

• Things may have changed since you last got your mortgage – new Central Bank Rules have come into play, for instance. So how much you can borrow will be based on your income, your house price, and what you can afford.
• Up to 90% Loan to Value is available on a switcher mortgages.
• Up to 80% loan to value is available for a studio apartment valued at €275,000 or above, or a one bedroom property.
• What you can borrow will also depend on what you can comfortably afford to repay monthly, this typically should not be more than 35% of your disposable income, however this may vary according to individual circumstances.
• Why not use our mortgage calculator to see what you can afford?

• Competitive interest rates including Variable Rate relative to your loan to value and Fixed Rates.
• For customers who are unsure of what type of rate to select, we give you the option of splitting the loan amount in two, so you can have the variable interest rate on a portion of the loan and a fixed interest rate on the remaining portion of the loan.
• You can borrow up to 90% of the value of the property - Loan To Value (LTV) *90% where you are not applying for additional money on top of your existing mortgage balance; or
• 80% for a one bed property or studio apartment valued at €275,000 or above. We do not lend for studio apartments valued at under €275,000.
• Repayment terms of up 35 years may be available.

• You will need mortgage protection cover which can be arranged through us or you can arrange it through another insurance company.
• We will need to see that you have made all your mortgage repayments in full and on time and that your mortgage is not in negative equity (when the balance of your current mortgage is greater than the current market value of your property).
• Keep in mind you will also need money for a valuation fee (you will need to use a valuer from the EBS Residential Mortgage Valuers panel), legal fees, and maybe a surveyor

• The big question – to go for a fixed or variable interest rate on your mortgage?  A fixed interest rate will stay stable during the period of your loan, while the variable rate will fluctuate. You can check our current rates below, and our mortgage coordinators would be more than happy to have a chat about the option for you.
• We offer both fixed and variable mortgage interest rates.  You can see a full listing of our current rates right here.
• If you take out a mortgage with a fixed rate of at least one year and decide to repay all or part of it early, if you change to a variable interest rate, or, if you change to another fixed interest rate we may charge you an early breakage fee. You can find information about how we calculate and when we charge this early breakage charge by clicking on ‘Home Mortgages General and Regulatory Information’ below and then selecting ‘Our mortgage interest rate options’.

• The EBS Green 4 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage is available to customers who are buying for the first time, moving, buying a holiday home, topping-up an existing mortgage, switching a mortgage to us, moving to a different fixed rate or have fully completed building a high energy rated home. You can also apply if you are moving home and your negative equity mortgage is with us.
• You’ll need to provide a BER Certificate with a rating of A1, A2, A3, B1, B2 or B3.
• The BER Certificate needs to be dated in the last ten years.

• Home Address of the property being mortgaged.
• BER Grade A1, A2, A3, B1, B2 or B3.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions Indicator Calculator.
• A “Valid Until” Date.

• You can move from your current EBS Fixed Rate early to get the EBS Green 4 Year Fixed Rate if there is at least four years remaining on your EBS mortgage. If you are on one of our fixed rates, we may charge you an Early Breakage Charge to leave it. More information on how we calculate an early breakage charge can be found on the EBS Green 4 Year Fixed Rate Brochure.
• You can leave your current EBS Variable Rate to get the EBS Green 4 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage if there is at least four years remaining on your current EBS Mortgage. We will not charge you an early breakage charge.
• You can find out more and an idea of what the cost of the mortgage will be from your local EBS Office from your EBS Mortgage Master.
• To apply, complete the Home Loan Interest Rate Application Form and post it with a copy of your BER Certificate to: 10 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, D02 R126.

• You can apply for the EBS Green 4 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage once:
  • Your property has been completed,
  • It has a BER Certificate of A1, A2, A3, B1, B2 or B3,
  • We’ve made all stage payments
• You can find out more and an idea of what the cost of the mortgage will be from your EBS Mortgage Master.
• To apply, complete the Home Loan Interest Rate Application Form and post it with a copy of your BER Certificate to: 10 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, D02 R126.

• Customers building their own property which is not yet finished.
• The property does not have a BER between A1 and B3.
• The property’s BER Certificate is more than 10 years old.
• You have a Buy to let mortgage.

• Before the end of your EBS Green 4 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage term, we will send you our rates at that time. You can then choose a new rate.
• You can apply for the EBS Green 4 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage rate again if:
  • Your property still has a BER rating between A1 and B3.
  • The BER Certificate is dated within the last 10 years; and
  • The EBS Green 4 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage is still available.
• If you do not select a rate, the Default Interest Rate at the time will be applied. The Default Interest Rate at the end of a Fixed Rate period is our Standard Variable Rate.

If your account was affected, we will have written to you.

We have a team of staff who are available to help you. Please ring our helpline team using the contact details contained in your letter.

Yes. You will need to confirm in writing (through the approved “Third Party Advisor” form) that we can liaise with the advisor in relation to the Tracker Mortgage Examination. You can find this form here or you can contact our helpline team to request it.

What can I do with my cheque?

You can lodge your cheque. Lodging it will not affect your right to appeal, to complain to us, or to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman and/or pursue this matter through the Courts. You are not required to apply any of your redress and compensation payment against your mortgage account.

Why did I receive a payment instruction form instead of a cheque?

A payment instruction form is most frequently issued where there are multiple parties to a loan living at different addresses. We need you to complete this form so that we know how you would like us to split your payment.

Personal representatives of deceased borrowers

Where we were aware of the personal representative of a deceased borrower we also sent them a letter along with a payment instruction form. Click here for more about the identification documents that personal representatives need to provide to us before the cheque will issue to them.

Do I have the right to appeal the redress and/or compensation?

Yes, you have the right to appeal the actions we have taken to correct our failure. You can submit your appeal within 12 months of the date on the letter in which we provided full details of the redress and compensation payment.

(i) What can I appeal?

You can appeal any aspect of redress and compensation within 12 months of the date on your letter in which we provided full details of your payment. Our decisions on the level of redress and compensation was based on the information available to us in our review of your account. As part of the appeals process you can include any additional material financial information which you would like to have considered.

(ii) Who will hear my appeal?

All appeals are heard by a fully independent appeals panel in accordance with the Terms of Reference and Procedural Rules of the appeals panel. For more details on the panel membership click here.

(iii) How do I begin an appeal?

Customers who received a letter providing detailed calculations of their redress and compensation payment can request an appeal application pack. To request this pack, please contact the helpline number provided in your letter. The pack will give you more details about the overall appeals process. Customers who decide to appeal will need to complete the appeal application pack and return it (together with any supporting documents relevant to their appeal) to the address set out in the form.

• Things may have changed since you last got your mortgage – Central Bank Rules will now come into play, for instance. So how much you can borrow will be based on your income, your house price, and your affordability.
• You can borrow a maximum of 90% of the value of the property.
• If you are buying a one-bedroom property or a studio apartment valued at €275,000 or above, the maximum loan amount is 80% of the property’s value.
• The amount you can borrow also depends on what you can comfortably afford to repay monthly, this typically should not exceed 35% of your disposable income. It’s that comfort cushion!
• Why not use our mortgage calculator to see what you can afford?

• Tracker interest rate retention is for our existing customers that want to sell their current home and buy a new home, while still retaining their tracker interest rate.
• The interest rate of your Tracker Retention portion of your new loan will be your existing Tracker interest rate plus an additional margin of 1%
• Competitive interest rates including Variable relative to your loan to value and Fixed rates
• For customers who are unsure of what type of rate to select, EBS provide the option of splitting the loan amount in two, so you can avail of both the variable interest rate on a portion of the loan and a fixed interest rate on the remaining portion of the loan
• Up to 90% Loan To Value (LTV) is available. Up to 80% Loan To Value (LTV) is available to studio apartments valued at €275,000 or above or one bedroom properties. We do not lend for the purchase of studio apartments valued at under €275,000.
• Max LTV of 80% for one bedroom properties
• Repayment term up to 35 years, subject to the age of borrowers
• You will need to be over 18 and security will be required before you can obtain a mortgage
• You will require Mortgage Protection Cover which can be arranged via EBS or you may purchase this through another Insurance company
• Keep in mind you will also need money for Valuation fees (you will need to use a valuer from the EBS Residential Mortgage Valuers panel), Legal fees, maybe a Surveyor and Stamp Duty fees. Also remember possible repairs and decoration costs on your new home.

• You can only avail of Tracker Retention for the amount of time remaining on your existing mortgage at the time of application, subject to EBS’s maximum age i.e. subject to clearance by your 69th birthday or on retirement if earlier or if you are self-employed by your 71st birthday.  Security will be required.
• Your existing home must be sold and your existing mortgage account must be cleared in full before you can draw down your new mortgage.
• Your new mortgage may only be used to purchase a new home which is to be used as your principal private residence.
• You will need to pay the costs of the sale of your existing home and the purchase of your new home (including professional fees)
• If you are approved for a new mortgage and Tracker Retention, a Letter of Loan Offer will be issued to you. The Letter of Loan Offer will be valid for 6 months, after which time you will need to make a new mortgage application, which will be subject to EBS standard lending criteria and terms and conditions.
• If you have sold your home and cleared your mortgage loan, to remain eligible for Tracker Retention, you must reapply for Tracker Retention at least 30 days before the expiry of your Approval in Principle or your Letter of Loan Offer. This is subject to EBS still offering the Tracker Retention at that time.

• You can retain your tracker rate on your new mortgage– but only up to the balance of your existing tracker mortgage. You will have to choose between a Variable Rate or Fixed Rate on the rest of your new mortgage.
• If you need a hand with this, our Mortgage Masters will be more than happy to have a chat.
• The amount of your new mortgage that can avail of Tracker Retention will be limited to the balance of your existing mortgage on a tracker interest rate, at the time of the approval for your new mortgage. Any funds above this amount will be at the prevailing EBS new business rates.
• Your Tracker Retention interest rate will be your existing Tracker interest rate plus an additional margin of 1%, on your current tracker mortgage balance, if you wish to sell your existing property and purchase a new principal residence.
• You will only be able to avail of Tracker Retention once during your relationship with EBS as a mortgage customer i.e. you will not have the option to retain your tracker interest rate again for a subsequent house move with another provider.
• Please keep in mind that if you choose to move onto a different type of interest rate at a later date, you will not be able to revert back to our tracker rate.
• If you take a Mortgage with a fixed rate of at least one year and decide to repay whole, or part early, if you convert to a variable interest rate, or, if you change to another fixed interest rate you may incur an early breakage cost payable to EBS d.a.c. You can locate information as to how this early breakage charge is calculated and in what circumstances this charge arises by selecting ‘Tracker Interest Rate Retention Mortgage General and Regulatory Information’ below, under the heading ‘Our mortgage interest rate options’.