Property Guides
Plain-English answers, sourced from Revenue, the Central Bank, the RTB and SEAI.
After Your Offer is Accepted — The Sale Agreed Process in Ireland
What happens between 'sale agreed' and getting the keys — the booking deposit, appointing a solicitor, conveyancing, structural survey, contracts, the closing day, and a realistic timeline for an Irish home purchase.
BER Ratings Explained (Ireland)
What a Building Energy Rating means, the new A0–G simplified scale (from 24 May 2026), and how it affects your energy bills and mortgage options.
Broadband When Buying or Renting a Home in Ireland
Before you buy or rent a property in Ireland, it pays to check broadband availability at the address. Here's what to check, how to use the NBI and eir checkers, and what connection types to expect.
Buildings Insurance in Ireland — What It Covers and How Much You Need
Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home against fire, flood, storm, and more. Here's what's included, what's excluded, how to calculate rebuild cost, and why your mortgage lender requires it.
Buy-to-Let Property in Ireland — Mortgages, Yields, and Tax
Everything you need to know about buy-to-let investment in Ireland — mortgage rules, deposit requirements, rental yields, income tax, CGT, and landlord obligations.
Buying an Apartment in Ireland — OMC, Service Charges, Sinking Fund
What's different about buying an apartment in Ireland — the Owners' Management Company (OMC), service charges, sinking fund, the 999-year lease, the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011, and the MUD Act queries your solicitor must raise.
Contents Insurance in Ireland — Protecting Your Belongings at Home
Contents insurance covers your possessions — furniture, electronics, valuables, and clothes — whether you own or rent your home. Here's how to choose the right level of cover and what to watch out for.
Ending a Tenancy in Ireland — Notice Periods and Getting Your Deposit Back
How to correctly end a tenancy in Ireland — notice periods for tenants and landlords, how to get your deposit back, and what to do if there's a dispute.
Getting a Mortgage in Ireland (2026)
Central Bank mortgage rules, how much you can borrow, the approval process, and what lenders look for.
Green Mortgages in Ireland — Lower Rates for Energy-Efficient Homes
Green mortgages offer lower interest rates if your home has a strong BER — typically B or above on the simplified scale (B3 or above on older certificates). Here's how they work, which lenders offer them, and whether one is right for you.
Help to Buy Scheme (Ireland 2026)
How the Help to Buy tax refund works for first-time buyers of new builds, including eligibility, limits, and how to apply.
Hidden Costs of Buying a Home in Ireland
Beyond the deposit — solicitor fees, surveys, valuation, stamp duty, and everything else you need to budget for.
Home Insurance in Ireland — Buildings and Contents
What home insurance covers, the difference between buildings and contents insurance, how much to insure for, and typical costs for Irish homeowners.
How Property Bidding Works in Ireland
How the bidding process actually works for Irish residential property — the three sale methods, what an estate agent is legally required to do with your bid, what's binding and what isn't, and how online bidding changes the rules.
Local Property Tax (LPT) in Ireland 2026
How Ireland's Local Property Tax works in 2026 — the new valuation bands, the 0.0906% base rate, the local-authority adjustment (−15% to +25%), who pays, how the self-assessment works, payment dates, and what happens on the closing day of a property sale.
Making an Offer on a Property in Ireland
How the bidding process works in Ireland, from registering interest through to a binding contract — what's binding, what isn't, and how to protect yourself.
Mortgage Protection Insurance in Ireland
What mortgage protection insurance is, when it's legally required, how much it costs, and how to get the best deal — including single and joint life policies.
New Builds vs Second-Hand Homes in Ireland
Comparing new build and second-hand properties in Ireland — BER ratings, Help to Buy eligibility, snag lists, Part V, and which suits different buyers.
Planning Permission Basics for Irish Homeowners
When you need planning permission in Ireland and when you don't — the 40 m² rear-extension exemption, attic conversions, dormer windows, the 8-week determination process, fees, protected structures, and how to get a Section 5 declaration.
Property Surveys in Ireland — What You Need to Know
Types of property survey in Ireland, when you need each, what they cover, and how much they cost — including structural surveys and new build snag lists.
Rent Increases in Ireland — Rules, Limits, and Your Rights
How rent increases work in Ireland from March 2026 — the national rent control system, the 2% cap, notice requirements, and how to dispute an illegal increase.
Rent-a-Room Relief in Ireland — The €14,000 Tax-Free Rule Explained
Earn up to €14,000 a year tax-free by renting a room in your own home. Here's how Rent-a-Room Relief works in Ireland, who qualifies, and what catches to watch out for.
Saving for a Deposit in Ireland
How much deposit you need to buy a home in Ireland, Central Bank LTV rules, what counts as a deposit, gifted deposits, and practical saving strategies.
Stamp Duty on Residential Property (Ireland 2026)
Current stamp duty rates in Ireland, how much you'll pay on your purchase price, and when it's due at closing.
Starting a Tenancy in Ireland — Deposits, Agreements, and RTB Registration
Everything you need to know before moving into a rented property in Ireland — deposit rules, tenancy agreements, RTB registration, and what to check on move-in day.
Switching Energy Supplier in Ireland — A Homeowner's and Mover's Guide
Whether you've just moved into a new home or want to cut your gas and electricity bills, switching energy supplier in Ireland is quick and free. Here's how to do it and what to check when moving in.
Tenant Rights in Ireland (2026)
Your rights as a renter in Ireland — deposits, notice periods, rent pressure zones, and how to raise a dispute with the RTB.
The Conveyancing Process in Ireland
Step-by-step guide to the legal process of buying a property in Ireland — from offer accepted to closing day, including what your solicitor does and typical timelines.
The First Home Scheme (Ireland 2026)
How the First Home Scheme shared equity programme works for first-time buyers in Ireland — eligibility, equity stakes, income limits, and how it combines with Help to Buy.
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