Mortgage-related issues in a crisis economy: Evidence from rural households in Ireland

► We explore how neoliberal ideas were applied to property during the boom. ► We examine mortgage practices during the burst across five case study locations. ► Our results point to the hardship and stress being felt by rural households. ► Mortgage practices of rural households were not extreme in relative terms. ► The practices of neoliberal policy in the mortgage market are varied spatially.