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This is Topic: Property
Following are the News Items published under this Topic.
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The days of cumbersome, costly and complex unregistered title are numbered. Justice minister Dermot Ahern has signed an order extending compulsory registration of land to twelve further counties. The only counties remaining outside the compulsory registration system for the foreseeable future will be Dublin and Cork. As a result, Ireland will move closer to a complete land register.
This modernisation of the Irish land registration system- with electronic conveyancing of land and the reforms proposed by the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act will mean reduced registration delays and associated costs.
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Thursday, May 13, 2010 - 11:34
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The national energy rating system has been extended with effect from 1 January 2009, so that all domestic properties for sale or rent are required to have a Building Energy Rating (BER), which gives a technical assessment of how energy efficient the home is. This requirement was introduced under the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive which requires all Member States to put a BER certification system in place on a phased basis. In Ireland the scheme came into effect for new houses in 2007 with the concluding phase for second hand homes on 1 January 2009.
A BER is obtained by the landlord or seller and is valid for 10 years. The purpose of the scheme is to assist consumers who are buying or renting to make an informed choice between available properties, having regard to a comparison of their energy rating.
Landlords and sellers of second hand homes (or agents acting on their behalf) are required to produce a copy of the BER certificate to any person expressing an interest in purchasing or taking a letting in the building. A person who contravenes these requirements commits an offence and is liable to be fined, on prosecution by the Building Control Authority in whose functional area the building is situated, a sum not exceeding €5000.
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Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 09:49
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Part 4 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2008 introduces changes to the mechanism for extending business tenancies.
Under this provision, tenants of all kinds of business premises can opt out of the statutory entitlement, after a business lease lasting 5 years, to a further lease of 20 years, provided that they seek legal advice. It is hoped that this provision will ease the difficulties that this causes for business tenants, who face termination of their leases within that time, with no prospect of renewal. This facility has been available since 1995 for office tenancies, and will apply to all types of tenancies from 20 July.
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Wednesday, September 24, 2008 - 11:22
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In November 2007, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform officially opened the offices of the Property Services Regulatory Authority in Navan, Co Meath.
He also launched a new Code of Practice for the property services industry and the Public Register of Licensed Auctioneers and Estate Agents. Statutory footing will be given to the Authority under the Property Services Regulatory Authority Bill, which is due to be published and passed by the Oireachtas in 2008.
The Code of Practice identifies the key principles to guide property service providers in the provision of services and sets out minimum standards of professional conduct. A procedure for dealing with complaints and a disciplinary board is also provided for in the Code. The Register of Licensed Auctioneers and Estate Agents includes names, addresses and trading names of all licensed auctioneers and estate agents and indicates whether those on the register have signed up to the Code of Practice. Ultimately, the register will include details of all property service providers, including management agents.
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Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 10:18
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The Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government published, in September 2007, draft regulations dealing with energy efficiency for new-build homes. The draft regulations provide for:
• A 40% improvement in energy efficiency for new homes in 2008
• A 40% improvement in CO2 emissions.
• A mandatory minimum renewable energy requirement in all new homes eg solar heating systems or biomass systems such as wood pellet.
• Minimum standards on heating systems to ensure high efficiency.
• Minimum requirements for heating system controls to minimize energy waste through excessive heating.
• Air tightness testing, to ensure homes are not leaking heat excessively
• Guidance on ensuring minimum quality of workmanship and construction
• Consumer information on the efficient operation of the house as a minimum requirement.
• A commitment to review and improve regulations to 60% in 2010 with the ultimate aim of achieving a zero carbon standard for new houses in the medium to long term.
• New buildings should also be future-proofed to be easily upgraded to higher energy and CO2 standards in the future.
The aim of the draft regulations is to work towards the overall aim of zero carbon housing and link energy efficiency improvement to climate change. The draft Regulations have been sent to the European Commission for consideration under competition law and have been subject to a period of public consultation. It is intended that the Regulations be signed by the Minister this December.
In terms of implementation, a phased approach is planned. The new rules will apply to all new housing planning applications after 1 July 2008. From 1 July 2009 they will apply to all new homes that have not substantially completed at that stage, regardless of when planning permission was sought.
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Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 10:17
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