Property Clinic

What do I need to know in order to rent out my parents’ former home?

I’m leaning towards keeping the property for my children

Mon Mar 17 2025 - 05:00

Could my neighbour’s black bamboo make my home uninsurable?

His watering of the trees has rendered my shed a soggy mess and I am terrified for my property

Wed Mar 12 2025 - 05:00

Does apartment building management have the right to forbid smoking?

Can they tell me I cannot smoke in my own apartment when my lease doesn’t specify the rule?

Mon Mar 10 2025 - 05:30

My elderly mother’s health is declining quickly. Should we prepare her home for sale?

Property Clinic: My siblings and I want to avoid any conflict while dealing with the loss of a family member

Tue Mar 04 2025 - 05:30

‘Can our estate’s management company ask our neighbour to take down his flashing fairy lights?’

‘My neighbour across the road installs very over-the-top flashing lights for the festive season’

Thu Feb 27 2025 - 04:58

‘Our hall smells damp. How can we remedy it?’

Could poor air circulation underneath our floorboards be the cause of the damp smell in our home?

Wed Feb 26 2025 - 04:58

‘I’m worried that a wind farm construction entrance close to my home will cause damage and disruption. What can I do?’

I’m concerned about noise, destruction of my boundary hedge, dust and the possible effect it may have on my house’s foundations

Tue Feb 18 2025 - 05:00

‘Apartment management fees are hindering our ability to save for a house. What can be done?’

We worry that other owners are not paying their fair shares and driving up costs

Mon Feb 17 2025 - 05:00

‘How can we go about building a sustainable family home without breaking the bank?’

We’re a bit lost on how to start and what options are available and affordable

Mon Feb 10 2025 - 05:00

‘Is it true we have no legal right to our sea view?’

Neighbours’ overgrown trees will eventually obscure our view of the bay and the peninsula beyond

Tue Feb 04 2025 - 05:00

‘My apartment walls are paper thin. How can I reduce noise disruption to neighbours?’

‘Are there improvements you would suggest I make to have better sound privacy?’

Sun Feb 02 2025 - 05:00

‘Management fees at my development have been raised too high for pensioners like me. What can I do?’

‘Is there any way to monitor the management, costs and so on?’

Tue Jan 28 2025 - 05:00

Will my son have to pay stamp duty on part of house he acquires from his ex?

Son is able to repay his ex-partner for her contribution and wants to transfer the full title to himself

Tue Jan 21 2025 - 05:30

Is apartment block management obligated to make doors suitable for owners with disabilities?

The new doors are heavy to open and difficult to unlock and manoeuvre through with a walker

Mon Jan 20 2025 - 05:45

Are home-buying grants available to us as returning emigrants?

I am a returning Irish citizen but it seems schemes for first-time buyers don’t apply to us

Tue Jan 14 2025 - 05:30

What can we do about a constant hum from our neighbours’ heat pump?

We’ve been complaining for eight months now and nothing has changed

Tue Dec 03 2024 - 05:00

If I sell an inherited property, how do I calculate the tax owed?

I’m confused as to what the property valuation date should be when calculating capital gains tax

Tue Nov 26 2024 - 05:00

I don’t want my neighbour to install an air-con unit encroaching on my garden. What can I do?

I’m concerned about the noise the machine will make at night and that it will be an eyesore

Mon Nov 25 2024 - 06:00

First-time buyers: ‘Should we buy an apartment or a doer-upper?’

We live in a Dublin commuter town and there are not many homes coming up for sale

Tue Nov 19 2024 - 05:45

We’ve gone sale-agreed on a home with a moisture issue. Should we walk away?

Would it make sense to go ahead with the purchase and fix any issues as they arise?

Mon Nov 18 2024 - 06:00

Are owners in my estate’s management company using funds to ‘feather their own nest’?

They have spent a lot of money having the area around where they live replanted and mulched

Tue Nov 12 2024 - 05:30

The property management company has put a lock on the lift in my building. What can I do?

As a tenant, should I have access to a parking space attached to the building?

Mon Nov 11 2024 - 05:00

Why are we getting condensation on our new triple-glazed windows?

We didn’t expect this issue as we also have a mechanical ventilation heat recovery system

Tue Nov 05 2024 - 05:30

We haven’t bought a house in 35 years. How should we go about downsizing?

What do we need to know as we look for a new house and get ready to sell our current one?

Mon Nov 04 2024 - 06:00

We don’t qualify for retrofitting grants to convert a garage for a relative. What can we do on a budget?

Our family member relies on disability benefit, so ensuring the conversion is energy efficient is a priority

Tue Oct 29 2024 - 05:45

Is it better for my tax bill if my parents transfer their house to me now rather than in their will?

Would it be categorised as a ‘gift’ and would tax be charged accordingly?

Tue Oct 22 2024 - 05:30

Could we insulate the attic ourselves to save money this winter?

It gets close to the correct temperature on the ground floor of our home, but upstairs is often too hot or too cold

Mon Oct 21 2024 - 05:45

I rent out a property for €1,400 a month. Can I raise it to €2,300 after making energy upgrades?

I rent out a property for €1,400 a month. The open-market rent would be about €2,300

Tue Oct 15 2024 - 07:00

Boundary issues: who is responsible for my shared fence?

How do we work out cost and the type of fencing we choose when they need to be replaced?

Mon Oct 14 2024 - 05:30

I bought two semidetached houses for €550,000 last year, I’m selling one, will I be liable for capital gains tax?

Will I have to pay CGT given that I have not made a gain on my initial outlay for the two properties?

Fri Oct 11 2024 - 05:45

Apartment block leaks: Is it always up to the management company to cover repairs?

If the lease says the OMC is responsible for repairs but people do not wish to pay for other’s leaks, can we vote against it?

Tue Oct 08 2024 - 05:45

Our house is still cold after installing external insulation. What can we do?

There’s a black damp developing on the walls and ceiling in the bathroom

Tue Oct 01 2024 - 05:45

Who is responsible for repairing sewerage pipe damage affecting our houses?

Both Irish Water and the local council claim it is a private matter

Mon Sept 30 2024 - 05:30

Who is responsible for leak damage from the apartment above?

The building’s management company refuses to disclose contact details of the upstairs property owners due to GDPR rules

Tue Sept 24 2024 - 05:30