Auctioneers, Real Estate Agents, Letting Agents and Property Management Agents
The following is for general information purposes only. All further queries regarding this information should be directed to the competent authority listed below.
Competent Authority
Auctioneers, Real Estate Agents, Letting Agents and Property Management Agents are regulated as Property Service Providers (PSP) by the Property Services Regulatory Authority .
The Property Services Regulatory Authority was established under The Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011, to control and regulate the property services industry in Ireland.
All persons wishing to provide property services in Ireland must hold a licence from the Authority. Please find more detailed information below.
The Authority is responsible for the control and supervision of Property Services Providers (PSPs) - (i.e. Auctioneers, Estate Agents, Letting Agents and Management Agents) and for the maintenance, by such providers, of high standards in the provision of property services.
Its main functions are to:
- To specify and enforce standards, including qualification standards which PSPs must attain,
- To specify and enforce technical and ethical standards to be observed by PSPs in the provision of property services,
- To specify and enforce the minimum levels of professional indemnity insurance which PSPs must hold,
- To establish and administer a system of investigation and adjudication of complaints made against PSPs,
- To impose sanctions on PSPs for improper conduct,
- To establish, maintain and administer a Compensation Fund,
- To promote the development and adoption of codes of practice,
- To establish and maintain the Public Register of Licensed PSPs,
- To establish and maintain a Public Register of Residential Property Prices,
- To maintain the Commercial Leases Database,
- Drafting and introduction of a wide range of legislation.
Anyone involved in the activities below will be subject to regulation by the PSRA.
- Purchase or sale, by whatever means, of any estate or interest in land (including buildings) wherever situated;
- Auction of private property other than land;
- Provision of property management services;
- The letting of any estate or interest in land wherever situated.
Please find relevant link on the Authority's website below.
Licensing Procedures
All persons wishing to provide property services in Ireland must hold a licence from the Authority.
The link below includes information on the following :
- a guide to the licensing process ( including relevant fees applicable),
- relevant application forms.
Providing cross border property services
In the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011, the reference to the requirements for property services provided by certain persons from other EU States is listed under part 11 (Section 82).
The following is for general information only and all queries concerning providing cross border services in Ireland should be directed to the Property Services Regulatory Authority.
In general terms, if a person holds a licence or similar authorisation in a Member State for an equivalent type of property service and there is client account protection in place they can provide cross border/ temporary services in Ireland. They have to comply with the provisions of Schedule 7 of the Act. If they are not covered by Section 82 they must be licensed under the Act.
Please find relevant links to Section 82 and Schedule 7 of the Property Services (Regulation ) Act 2011 below for information.
Section 82 (Property services provided by certain persons from other EU States)
Schedule 7 ( Modifications of this Act in relation to relevant persons)
Relevant legislation applicable
Please find below relevant links to Irish and EU legislation for property service providers.
Publications
Please find also below relevant publications on the Property Services Regulatory Authority's website for information:
- the publication of a Guide for Property Service Providers;
- the publication of forms for Property Service Providers;
- the publication of a Public Register of licencees.
Contact details
Please find link below to contact details for the Property Services Regulatory Authority.