Question 1

1. How do I sell my house in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Selling a home in Ireland involves a series of legal, financial and practical steps — from valuing your property and appointing a solicitor to managing offers and completing contracts.
To make the process clear and manageable, we’ve created a detailed 10-step guide to selling your home in Ireland. It walks you through:
How to value your property accurately
When to appoint a solicitor
What documents you need before going to market
How to choose the right estate agent
How offers work in Ireland
When a sale becomes legally binding
What happens between sale agreed and closing
Whether you are selling your principal home or an investment property, following a structured approach helps reduce delays and avoid common pitfalls.

Question 2

2. When is a sale legally binding in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

A sale becomes legally binding only when:
Both parties sign the contracts
The signed contracts are exchanged
At that point:
The buyer pays a 10% deposit (less any booking deposit already paid)
Withdrawal may result in financial penalties
There is no cooling-off period after contracts are exchanged.

Question 3

3. How long does it take to sell a house in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Typical timelines:
Preparation stage: 2–8 weeks
Marketing to sale agreed: 4–10 weeks (market dependent)
Sale agreed to closing: 6–12+ weeks
Total timeline: Often 3–6 months, depending on complexity and market conditions.
Delays are most commonly caused by:
Planning compliance issues
Title complications
Mortgage approval delays
Chain dependency

Question 4

4. What does it cost to sell a house in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Costs vary but typically include:
Estate agent commission (1%–2.5% of property value)
Marketing costs (a rough guide is ~1% of property value if maximising return)
Solicitor fees (up to €3,000 depending on complexity)
BER assessment (up to €300)
Capital Gains Tax (if not your Principal Private Residence)
Mortgage redemption fees (if applicable)
Budgeting early helps prevent surprises later.

Question 5

5. Can a buyer pull out after going sale agreed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Until contracts are signed, either party may withdraw from the sale.

Question 6

6. What is a booking deposit?

Accepted Answer

A booking deposit is a refundable deposit paid to the estate agent to secure the property before contracts are signed.

Question 7

7. What are fixtures and fittings?

Accepted Answer

Fixtures are attached items (usually included in the sale)
Fittings are free-standing items (usually excluded unless specified)

Question 8

8. Who pays Local Property Tax at sale?

Accepted Answer

The seller must ensure Local Property Tax (LPT) is paid up to date before closing.

Question 9

9. How do I sell a tenanted property in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

If your property is rented:
You must comply with Residential Tenancies legislation
Notice periods depend on tenancy duration
From March 2026, larger landlords (four or more tenancies) face additional restrictions when selling
Always seek legal advice before serving notice.

Question 10

10. Capital Gains Tax (CGT): Do I have to pay it?

Accepted Answer

If the property is your Principal Private Residence, you are generally exempt from CGT.
CGT may apply if the property is:
A rental property
A holiday home
An inherited property
Professional tax advice is recommended.

Frequently asked questions