Who is a First-Time Buyer?
What is an Owner-Occupier?
What Transitional Arrangements Apply?
On June 15 2000 the Irish Parliament (Dail Eireann) passed a financial resolution which introduces new rates of stamp duty for residential property. Stamp duty rates for second-hand residential property were revised for first-time buyers and owner-occupiers purchasing for their own occupation. In order to curb speculative demand, especially at the lower end of the market, the government has decided that a flat rate of 9% will apply in the case of investors purchasing new or second-hand houses. The new rates are as follows:
| Purchase Price Thresholds | First-Time Buyers | Owner-Occupiers | Investors |
| Up to £100,000 | Nil | Nil | 9% |
| £100,001-£150,000 | Nil | 3% | 9% |
| £150,001-£200,000 | 3% | 4% | 9% |
| £200,001-£250,000 | 3.75% | 5% | 9% |
| £250,001-£300,000 | 4.5% | 6% | 9% |
| £300,001-£500,000 | 7.5% | 7.5% | 9% |
| Over £500,000 | 9% | 9% | 9% |
The new regime will operate as follows:
- The reduced stamp duty rates on second-hand houses and apartments will apply to conveyances dated on or after June 15 2000;
- Stamp duty at the new flat rate of 9% will be charged on all conveyances of all new and second-hand residential properties bought by investors, giving effect to contracts entered into, on or after June 15 2000; and
- The 9% flat rate will also apply to all such conveyances to investors executed after January 31 2001, regardless of the date of the contract.
A first-time buyer is a person (or, where there is more than one buyer, each of such persons) who fulfils the following criteria:
- has not on any previous occasion, either individually or jointly, purchased or built on his/her own behalf a house or apartment in Ireland or abroad;
- occupies the property purchased, or someone else so occupies on his behalf, as his/her only or principal place of residence; and
- derives no rent from the property for five years after completion of the purchase.
An owner-occupier is a person who purchases a property which is to be occupied by the purchaser, or a person on his behalf, as his only or principal place of residence, and no rent is derived from the property.
What Transitional Arrangements Apply?
Transitional arrangements apply where contracts to purchase/lease a house or apartment were evidenced in writing prior to June 15 2000. In these cases, where the stamp duty changes place the purchaser at a disadvantage compared to the residential rates of stamp duty in force immediately prior to June 15 2000, those previous rates of stamp duty continue to apply, provided that the conveyance/lease is executed on or before January 31 2001.
For further information on this topic please contact Paul Eustace at Dillon Eustace by telephone (+353 1 6670022) or by fax (+353 1 6670042) or by e-mail ([email protected]).
The materials contained on this web site are for general information purposes only and are subject to the disclaimer.