Why Does It Take So Long to Buy a House in Ireland?
Buying a House in Ireland can feel like you’ve stepped into a completely different world – full of jargon, paperwork, and people you’ve never had to deal with before. Solicitors, banks, engineers, local authorities – it can all get a bit overwhelming.
One of the most common questions we hear is:
“How long will this take?”
Our honest answer?
As fast as the slowest person in the chain.
Yes, we move swiftly here in the office – just ask the clients who’ve kindly left us glowing reviews. But buying a home means joining a chain involving:
- Your own bank
- The seller’s bank
- Auctioneers
- Engineers
- Local Planning Departments
- Revenue
- And another solicitor on the other side
So, it’s a bit like a three-legged race – your pace depends on everyone staying in step.
What’s Being Done to Speed Things Up?
The Irish Government is (finally) taking steps to reduce the delays. Right now, the average purchase completion time is 6 to 8 weeks, though we often manage it quicker.
But change is on the way for Buying a House in Ireland?
From 2026: No Deeds, No Sale
From early 2026, solicitors won’t be able to put a property on the market unless they already have the Title Deeds and updated legal declarations in hand. That’s big news.
Why? Because currently, many sellers only contact their solicitor after finding a buyer. That triggers a long paper chase to retrieve Title Deeds – often locked away in a bank’s storage facility, sometimes taking 7 to 21 days to be released.
With the new rules, all of that must be ready before the property is listed. This should speed things up significantly.
Why Can’t This Be Done Online?
Good question. If you’re buying a commercial building worth millions, you can use platforms like DocuSign to sign everything digitally. But if you’re buying a two-bed semi in Sligo? You still have to sit in your solicitor’s office and wet-sign the contracts – pen and paper, the old-fashioned way.
We think it’s time this changed. The technology is there. The system just needs to catch up.
Local Authorities: Progress and Pitfalls
A major holdup in many sales is planning documentation – especially if extensions were added to the home. Even if it was a modest 20m² kitchen under the 40m² exemption, a qualified engineer must certify compliance with planning rules. And let’s face it – good engineers are flat out at the moment.
Also, every property built after 1963 must have its planning status clarified. While the Folio (a document showing property ownership) can be pulled instantly from the Land Registry, planning details are a trickier beast.
We’ve been working with Sligo County Council to streamline one part of this:
They now list estates taken in charge by the council on their website – saving time and €100 on what used to be a formal letter request. Small win, big relief.
However, a recent backward step:
Solicitors can no longer certify from their own knowledge whether a house has access to public roads and services like sewage and water. Due to past misuse (particularly in Dublin), the Law Society now recommends getting this confirmed via a fresh letter from the local authority – another form, another fee.
What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
There’s talk of a Government-led public information pack to help first-time buyers and sellers understand what’s needed before listing or making an offer. Until that appears, we’ve already done a lot of the legwork for you.
Our website – www.michaelmonahansolicitor.ie – is packed with:
- Straight-talking blogs
- Guides for buyers and sellers
- Downloadable checklists
Because buying a home shouldn’t feel like sitting your Leaving Cert all over again.
Final Word
The system’s improving – slowly – but there’s still plenty of work to do. In the meantime, if you’re buying or selling, the best advice we can offer is this:
Start early. Ask questions. And work with someone who moves with purpose, not paperclips.
Need a hand or some friendly guidance?
We’re just a phone call or click away.
📞 Visit us at michaelmonahansolicitor.ie
📩 Or drop us a message – no legalese, just real help.