All the costs of buying a house in Ireland
According to the Central Statistics Office’s latest Residential Property Price Index, house prices increased by 1.5% in the 12 months to July 2023, with prices in Dublin decreasing by 1.4% and prices outside Dublin up by 3.8%. The average house price in Ireland is now €320,000, with no sign of prices falling in the current climate of high inflation, low supply and interest rate increases*.
But it’s not just house prices that are going up. Buying a house in Ireland doesn’t just involve making a final offer on a house (read our full guide to buying a house in Ireland). There are additional hidden costs like solicitor and conveyancing fees and stamp duty. We have listed below some of the costs you may incur when purchasing a house.
Hidden costs for buying a house in Ireland
Deposit
Raising a minimum of 10% of the value of a new house (first time buyer) is now the minimum requirement for getting on the housing ladder. The key to building up that deposit is to start saving sooner, rather than later. Use our budget calculator to work out how much you can save. Our budget spreadsheet will also help you manage your income and expenses.
Stamp duty
Stamp duty is a tax you pay to Revenue when transferring the ownership of property in Ireland. Stamp duty rates for residential properties are 1% on the first €1 million, and 2% on the excess over €1 million. So, if you purchase a house for €300,000, then your stamp duty will amount to €3,000.
If the house is a new build, the stamp duty is the value of the home minus VAT, which is currently 13.5%. That means that if your purchase a new home costing €300,000, the stamp duty you will need to pay is €2,595.
Your solicitor will make the required arrangements for payment to Revenue, so you don’t need to do anything other than have the money to pay the stamp duty.
Solicitors fees
When it comes to buying a house, you will need a solicitor who will look after all the legal elements of transferring ownership of the house over to you. The fees a solicitor can charge vary so it pays to shop around. Some solicitors will change a flat fee while others will charge a percentage of the house price. If a flat fee is charged, you can expect to pay anything from €1,500 to €3,000. Always check if the fee includes VAT.
Surveyors fees
Although this is optional and not a legal requirement, it is advisable to hire a surveyor to give your new home the once over, especially as buying a home is a huge investment. The surveyor will check for any structural damage and other things like damp, subsidence, and dry rot. The surveyor’s report will give you a good idea of the cost involved in fixing any potential problems and could also help when negotiating a price with the seller. The cost of a surveyor can be in the region of €300 to €500.
Valuation fees
Your lender will look for a valuation report on the property to ensure that the price you are buying the house for matches the value of the home. It’s likely that your lender will have their own valuer, but the cost of the report falls to you. You can expect to pay between €200 and €300 for this; check also if VAT is included.
Mortgage protection
Anyone taking out a mortgage is required by their lender to have mortgage protection in place. Many people take up a policy with their mortgage provider, but it's always a good idea to shop around. Not only does this allow you to see the best premium available to you, but it ensures that you get the most suitable product for your needs. Our mortgage protection quote calculator will give you an idea of the cost of cover you will need.
Home Insurance
The cost of your home insurance premium will differ depending on the value of your property and your contents. You can use the house rebuild calculator from the Society of Chartered Surveyors to calculate the rebuild cost of your home. This will give you a good idea of how much you should be insuring your house for. You can get a quote for Zurich home insurance here.
Property tax
Your property is liable for Local Property Tax (LPT) if it is a residential property. LPT is a self-assessed tax which means you need to self-assess the value of your property and this determines the amount of LPT you pay each year. Revenue provides information on their website to help you determine the value of your property.
Costs for renovations
Even if your new home is turnkey, it might still need some renovation and decoration work. The cost of this work will depend on the condition of the home and whether you need some minor things like furniture or bigger budget items such as a new kitchen or bathroom. Budgeting for renovation and decorative work will be key. At Zurich we have lots of handy tips and tools to help you plan, budget and save for your home renovations.
Moving house
When the time comes to move into your new home, you will want the moving part to be as stress-free as possible. You might decide to hire a van yourself to move all your furniture to your new home, or you may prefer to hire a removal company to do it for you. Either way, more than likely there will be some cost involved, so it’s a good idea to budget for moving. We have complied a useful list of tips to help you when it comes to moving house.
The information contained herein is based on Zurich Life’s understanding of current Revenue practice as of 1st October 2023 and may change in the future.
Source: *CSO, July 2023
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