Irish mortgage sources
This page records the main primary and consumer sources used by Check The Damage and explains how they are translated into calculator assumptions.
Primary sources
The Central Bank's mortgage-measures framework is the main source for loan-to-income and loan-to-value rules. The current framework states a standard LTI limit of 4× gross income for first-time buyers and 3.5× for second/subsequent buyers, with 10% minimum deposits for those categories. It also sets allowances and exemptions.
Revenue is the source used for residential Stamp Duty information. Current standard residential rates are 1% up to €1 million, 2% on the portion over €1 million up to €1.5 million, and 6% on the portion over €1.5 million, with separate rules for certain acquisitions.
Consumer guidance
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission provides practical guidance on switching, overpayments, mortgage costs and the application process. Its guidance is used to add real-world considerations that a simple calculator cannot model.
How sources become calculator assumptions
- Rules: official regulatory limits are presented as rules or ceilings, never as promises of approval.
- Calculations: repayment figures are mathematical estimates based on the balance, rate and term shown.
- Rates: official averages and lender rate snapshots are dated. A published rate is not a personal mortgage offer.
- Costs: Stamp Duty and other buying-cost figures are planning estimates unless the source provides a specific determination.
- Limitations: the site cannot reproduce a lender's internal affordability or underwriting model.
- Updates: pages are reviewed when a material assumption or official rule changes.
Why dates matter
Mortgage information is unusually time-sensitive. A Central Bank rule, Revenue rate or lender product can change after a page was written. For that reason, Check The Damage uses review dates for important editorial content and “last checked” dates for rate snapshots where appropriate.
If a source and a calculator page ever appear to disagree, the current primary source should take precedence. The site should not be used as the final authority for a financial decision.
Read the full methodology
The methodology page explains the repayment formula, income-multiple illustrations, LTV assumptions, rate examples, overpayment modelling and what the calculators deliberately leave out.
Mortgage calculator methodology → · About and editorial standards →