What are Reasonable Living Expenses (RLEs)?

speech bubble asking what are reasonable living expenses?

 

Do you get confused when you see a letter with lots of acronyms and have no idea what they mean? You’ve most likely seen the headlines about mortgage sustainability and affordability but don’t quite know where the numbers come from. We’re here to help break down the myths and common terms you may come across. This time, we’re talking about Reasonable Living Expenses or their acronym – RLEs. 

What are Reasonable Living Expenses? 

Reasonable Living Expenses (RLEs) are guidelines to help ensure that a borrower in mortgage arrears maintains a reasonable living standard while trying to resolve their debt problems.  

RLEs cover the borrower’s day-to-day expenses, which are necessary to have a reasonable standard of living. The Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) monitors and updates the RLE guidelines annually (required by the Personal Insolvency Act 2012). The ISI considers that, for the purposes of the Act, “a reasonable standard of living is one which meets a person’s physical, psychological and social needs.” 

These guidelines cover expenses such as food, clothing, health, household goods and services, communications, socialising, education, transport, household energy, childcare, insurance and allowances for savings and contingencies. 

Why are Reasonable Living Expenses used? 

RLEs are designed to help protect borrowers by ensuring they have enough money each month to cover expenses without overstretching themselves. This commitment to having essential expenses covered can greatly impact the borrower’s physical and mental well-being. RLEs can help a Personal Insolvency Practitioner (PIP) determine the best possible arrangement for a borrower in home mortgage arrears. 

It lets the PIP know what spare income is left over at the end of each month to pay back the borrower’s creditors. This benefits the borrower as they are paying into an arrangement at a rate that matches their means. Borrowers in mortgage arrears can access the services of a PIP for free through the Abhaile scheme through a voucher.

You can find the list of Abhaile PIPs

Abhaile PIPs

How are Reasonable Living Expenses determined? 

  1. Household Composition– number of adults and children (if any) living in the house.
  2. Need for a Car - does the household require a car, and is the quality and accessibility of public transport good?
  3. Other Costs – mortgage costs and, if applicable, childcare costs.
  4. Special Circumstances – medicine/health costs associated with a physical or mental condition and college-going children, if applicable.

 

What are considered Reasonable Living Expenses? 

The table below is taken from the ISI and displays the monthly set costs considered to be Reasonable Living Expenses. Note about children’s costs – some additions are applied if your family has more than two children. Approximately €10 extra each for the third (3rd) and fourth (4th) child.

a graphic of a table showing values in euro of reasonable living expenses depending on your personal situation

 

You can read the RLE guidelines in full.

Guidelines on a reasonable standard of living and reasonable living expenses. Published by the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI).

It is important to note these are guidelines. A borrower is not required to spend their money as listed in the breakdowns; they have total control over their spending. 

How do I work out my RLE?

The ISI has a helpful online RLE calculator to help you work out what your household’s reasonable living expenses are.

 

If you would like more information on RLEs and mortgage arrears supports available through Abhaile, call the MABS Helpline on 0818 07 2000 to speak with a Dedicated Adviser or message us on WhatsApp 086 035 3141. 

 

Originally posted: July 2020.

Updated: 24 November 2022