Selling, buying or transferring a property

You are buying a property

LPT Property Tax (LPT) is a charge on the property. When you are buying a property, it is important to ensure that you are not accepting any unpaid LPT liabilities from the seller. When you become the owner of a property with an outstanding LPT charge, you become the liable person for that charge.

The property's valuation on 1 May 2013 determined its LPT charge for the years 2013 to 2021. The valuation on 1 November 2021 determined the LPT charge for the years 2022 to 2025. The valuation on 1 November 2025 determines the LPT charge for the years 2026 to 2030.

The valuation(s) declared must be reasonable.

What should you, or your solicitor, do before completion of the sale?

Before the completion of the sale you, or your solicitor, should:

• Obtain relevant information and supporting documentation from the seller. This includes the Property History Summary, property ID, valuation band or valuation, basis for their valuation and details of any exemption claimed.
• Check whether there is any outstanding tax, interest or penalties in relation to the property. Any unpaid tax will attract interest and remain a charge on the property until it is paid. You should ensure that all outstanding liabilities have been paid by the seller before completion of the sale.
• Ensure there is no deferral on file.
• Ensure that the Household Charge (HHC) is fully paid.
• Ensure that any exemption claimed in respect of the property has been verified by Revenue.
• Consider whether the valuation(s) declared for the property was reasonable and honestly made. The buyer, or their solicitor, should address any concerns prior to the closing of the sale.
• Ensure the seller provides you with a copy of the relevant Revenue clearance documentation. For further information, please see 'What is Revenue clearance'.

Note

If this is not the first sale since 2013, the seller must provide details of any clearance they hold for the earlier sale.

Buying a derelict property - Stamp Duty implications

Certain properties are considered residential for Stamp Duty purposes even if they are not liable for LPT. For example, a derelict house. While a derelict house may not be liable for LPT, it is subject to Stamp Duty at the residential rate.

You may buy a property which is not liable for LPT, but is subject to the residential rate of Stamp Duty. If so, you must ensure the seller provides you with an LPT Property ID before the sale is complete. You will need the Property ID to submit your Stamp Duty Return.

If the property does not have a Property ID Number, you should ask the seller to contact the LPT Branch. The seller should explain to the LPT Branch that the number is needed to file a Stamp Duty Return.

For further information on Stamp Duty, please see What Is Stamp Duty.

After completion of the sale

You may consider that the valuation(s) declared by the seller or previous owner is not reasonable. If you consider the valuation(s) should be higher or lower, you should provide the following details to the LPT Branch:

• The property ID.
• The property address.
• Your own assessment of the valuation band or chargeable value of the property as at 1 May 2013 and, or 1 November 2021 and, or 1 November 2025.
• and
• You must provide documentation in support of your valuation(s).

Next: You are transferring a property