Our expert and experienced staff will discuss the entire process with you, liaising with estate agents, engineers, and financial institutions on your behalf. We will ensure that your interests are protected at all times and that the transaction is dealt with speedily and efficiently.
Buying or selling a property
Whether you are a first time buyer, buying a family home, or feel it's time to invest in property, our expert and experienced staff will discuss the entire process of buying or selling a property with you.
Buying your first property will be one of the most important transactions of your life and the most important financial decision you will have to make. Our Galway property solicitors have the expertise to advise you through the entire process, liaising with estate agents, engineers, and financial institutions on your behalf.
We advise on the various fees payable to third parties or government agencies when purchasing a property, such as Stamp Duty, Land Registration Fees, Law Searcher's Fees, and Commissioner for Oaths Fees. These charges vary according to the value and type of property; we will itemise the outlays so you have an accurate breakdown of costs for your new property or investment.
Voluntary transfers
Except for in a few limited circumstances, a solicitor is no longer permitted to act for both vendor and purchaser in a conveyancing transaction, including a voluntary transfer, as and from the 1st of January 2013.
Accordingly, in order to effect a voluntary transfer between family members, such as the voluntary transfer of land or property from a parent to child, or transfer of a farm from parent to child, these transactions now require two separate firms of solicitors to be appointed.
Under the same regulation, it is still permissible for a solicitor to represent both parties in the voluntary transfer of the Family Home or Shared Home from its owner into the joint names of the owner and their spouse or Civil Partner.
Buying your first property will be one of the most important transactions of your life and the most important financial decision you will have to make.
Mortgages and re-mortgaging
If you are purchasing a property with the assistance of a mortgage, the lending institution will have a charge registered against your property, with the effect that the property cannot be sold without their consent or without first paying off the mortgage.
Once you have received loan approval from your bank or financial institution a loan pack will issue, including a letter of loan offer. We strongly urge you to seek our expert legal advice before signing any loan offer to ensure that you are in a position to comply with any special conditions imposed.
Once your loan has been drawn down and the conveyancing transaction completed, we will register the mortgage against your property and return the original title deeds to your lending institution.
Landlord and tenant law
In 2004 the Private Residential Tenancies Board, now known as the RTB (Residential Tenancies Board), came into being and has since operated as a national registration system for residential tenancies and as a means of dispute resolution between landlords and tenants. This system of dispute resolution has replaced the adversarial court system in relation to the majority of disputes between landlords and tenants.
Our property solicitors at Blake & Kenny offer advice on all aspects of landlord and tenant law:
- Rights, responsibilities, and obligations of landlords
- Rights, responsibilities, and obligations of tenants
- Registration of a tenancy
- Rent reviews, increases, and disputes
- Termination of a tenancy
- Attendance before the RTB
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about residential property.
- What costs should I budget for in addition to the purchase price?
- Costs vary by property value and type, but typically include Stamp Duty, Land Registration Fees, Law Searcher's Fees, and Commissioner for Oaths Fees, along with legal fees. We provide an itemised breakdown at the outset so there are no surprises at closing.
- Can you act for both sides on a transfer of land between family members?
- Since 1 January 2013, a solicitor cannot act for both vendor and purchaser in a voluntary transfer between family members. The exception is the transfer of a Family Home or Shared Home into joint names with a spouse or civil partner, where one solicitor may act for both parties.
- Should I sign a loan offer before speaking to a solicitor?
- No. We strongly recommend reviewing the loan pack with us before signing. Lenders frequently impose special conditions that affect your ability to draw down the loan, and it is far easier to address these before signing than after.
Tell us about your residential property matter
A direct callback, normally within one business day.
Our intake assistant takes your details in confidence. A solicitor at Blake & Kenny reviews every enquiry and decides who can best help.
- Confidential by default
- Free initial assessment
- Partner reviews every enquiry
Talk to our Galway residential property solicitors.
Whether you are buying your first home, selling, or transferring property within the family, call (091) 564 340 or send us a message and we will reply within one working day.
Make an enquiry