Buying a home
Conveyancing is the legal work used to transfer ownership. The Government's home-buying guide and the Law Society's buyer guide describe the main sequence. Engage a solicitor early, especially before an auction where the successful bidder may immediately enter a binding contract.
Keep legal and technical checks separate
Your solicitor investigates contract and title matters. A pre-purchase surveyor or engineer investigates physical condition within their agreed scope. Government guidance emphasises Ireland's buyer-beware position and recommends considering a building-condition survey before becoming contractually bound.
Stamp duty and registration
Revenue currently lists residential transfer rates of 1% up to €1 million, 2% on the portion from €1 million to €1.5 million, and 6% above €1.5 million, with special rules for certain bulk acquisitions. The standard non-residential rate is 7.5%. Mixed-use, connected building agreements and reliefs need specific analysis. Check Revenue's live rates.
After completion, the solicitor normally handles stamping and title-registration steps with Tailte Éireann where applicable. Confirm the expected title route, documents and registration timing for your transaction.
Selling a property
Early preparation can prevent avoidable delay. Locate title deeds, planning and compliance material, boundary information, management-company documents, Local Property Tax records and details of mortgages or other burdens. Tell your solicitor about extensions, conversions, rights of way, septic systems, tenants and relationship changes at the outset.
Commercial property and leases
Commercial transactions can involve permitted use, repair obligations, service charges, insurance, rates, VAT, rent review, break options, assignment, guarantees and dilapidations. Heads of terms are not a substitute for lease advice. Identify which obligations survive a break or transfer and what evidence is required to exercise rights on time.
Probate and property
Where someone dies leaving a will, probate confirms the will's validity and gives the executor authority to administer the estate. Where there is no will or no available executor, a different grant may be required. The Courts Service probate hub explains the process and terminology.
Before selling or transferring estate property, establish who has legal authority, what title and tax issues exist, whether beneficiaries or creditors are affected, and whether insurance and security remain adequate. Do not assume being next of kin alone authorises a sale.
Making a will
A will can name executors and state how estate assets should be distributed, subject to Irish law. The Law Society's public guide explains the executor's role and the consequences of dying without a will. Obtain advice where there are children, a second relationship, overseas assets, a business, capacity concerns or intended unequal provision.
Questions for an initial solicitor discussion
- What is included in the quoted scope and what is charged separately?
- Which documents should I obtain now?
- What decisions or deadlines could make me legally bound?
- What title, planning, tax or probate issue is still unresolved?
- Who is responsible for technical inspection and valuation?
- What conditions must be satisfied before completion or distribution?
For valuation, licensed-agent and survey questions see the Irish property evidence guide.