Buying a home in Ireland: the legal steps, from contract to registration

Buying a home in Ireland runs through a solicitor: conveyancing, the legal work involved in buying or selling property, covers the contract, title queries, closing and registration (Citizens Information). Two points matter before anything is signed: the contract for sale is binding, and the seller does not have to tell you about defects.

This article contains general information, not legal advice. What applies to your situation depends on your own circumstances.

What the solicitor does

The solicitor exchanges contracts, raises and negotiates title queries with the seller's solicitor, carries out title searches, drafts the closing documentation, closes the sale and then attends to stamping and registering your title (Law Society of Ireland). Standard pre-closing steps include Requisitions on Title, a set of questions about the property, and judgment searches against the seller (Citizens Information). Conveyancing charges vary between solicitors, so it is worth comparing several before you choose (same source).

The contract binds you

Once the contract for sale is signed, you are committed, and withdrawing can put your deposit at risk (Citizens Information). At auction the effect is immediate: you sign a binding contract there and then and pay a non-refundable deposit (Law Society of Ireland).

Get a survey first

A seller does not have to tell you about defects in a property, so before you finalise the purchase you should have it surveyed (Citizens Information). For second-hand homes the Law Society advises a structural survey by a qualified surveyor, architect or engineer before signing any contract (Law Society of Ireland).

Stamp duty

Stamp duty on residential property is tiered: 1 % on consideration up to EUR 1 million, 2 % on the portion over EUR 1 million and up to EUR 1.5 million, and 6 % on the portion above EUR 1.5 million, for instruments executed on or after 2 October 2024 (Revenue, stamp duty rates on residential property). The rates are marginal, so even on an expensive home the first million is charged at 1 %.

Registration, and when you actually own it

After closing, your deeds must be registered with the Registry of Deeds or the Land Registry, both operated by Tailte Éireann; registration can take months or even years, but you are the owner of the property in the meantime (Citizens Information).

How Linxei can help

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