Stakeholders in property registration

1. Who are the main users of property information?

• Professional users
• Licensed conveyancers
• Banks/financial institutions
• Personal applicants
• Citizens seeking to establish property information
• Historical/genealogical researchers
• Other Government Departments/Agencies
• Re-use of public sector information providers
• Other-specify

The register is accessed mainly by solicitors who deal with conveyancing law and property transactions on behalf of applicants for registration.  A personal applicant can also apply but this is uncommon. All of the above access the register.

2. How is land registry information stored? Is it in electronic or paper format?

Both title and mapping information is held in digital format.

3. How is that information obtained?

An application can be made in person, by post or on line by any person.

4. Is the register open to the public?

Yes-the register is open to any person who applies on the payment of the appropriate fee.

5. If not, in what circumstances is access to title information granted?

Not applicable, see answer 4.

6. Is there a fee for the information?

Yes-see link attached. The fee for the certified copy folio/map is €40. http://www.prai.ie/eng/About_Us/Land_Registry/Land_Registry_Services/

7. What information is provided on the register?

The register shows a description of the property in Part 1, the legal owner of the property in Part 2 and the burdens or encumbrances that are registered against it in Part 3.

8. If more information is available “off register” in what circumstances can it be accessed?

The original deeds and documents lodged with the application comprise a dealing when lodged. Once registration is made on foot of the deeds/documents lodged that have complied with the Act and Rules governing registration, the dealing becomes an instrument and is filed. The instrument is not open to public inspection or copy and only parties who satisfy the requirements of Rule 159 are entitled to inspection or a copy.

9. Is any information provided free of charge?

No-with the exception of the provision of information to other government officials such as police, Revenue Commissioners etc.

10. Is it available online?

Yes, see www.pra.ie or www.landirect.ie/eng/

11. How is payment made?

Payment can be made online by debit/credit card or in cash by person at one of the public counters. Professional users hold accounts which are debited accordingly.

12. How long does it take to receive property information?

The information is available immediately online.

13. If a paper/certified copy of title information is required, how long does it take to issue?

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14. Is the information linked to a map?

Yes, an image of the map can be viewed online or a copy of it can issue in the post.

15. How is the map accessed-at the same time as the request for title information?

Answer 14.

16. What other services are provided by your organisation

There is a Business Development unit within the Authority involved in a range of projects which seek to assist users of Land Registry information to access their data in a way that suits their particular business needs.

There are also ongoing projects with other Government Departments/Agencies and State bodies to assist in bringing registered title information up to date and to register State property as required under Registration of Title Acts. Dedicated services are provided for certain projects to assist other State Agencies to actively manage property portfolios by ensuring their titles are registered and to facilitate the development of their Property Interest Registers (PIR).

Each local Authority is required to build their PIR and has taken data from the Authority records as a basis for development of their PIR.

The Authority does not provide formal training as part of its remit but regularly engages with Bar Associations/professional bodies associations. It is represented at seminars hosted by such bodies updating users in legal, technical and procedural changes and ongoing developments in the provision of registration services, which leads to an improvement in the quality of applications lodged and a more efficient service.

The Authority also publishes extensive information on its website relating to the procedures utilised by the Authority in respect how various type of applications are handled within the Registration process

17. What other uses are being made, if any, of information held on the register?

The Authority provides information to other Government Departments and Agencies to assist them discharge certain functions. An example would be the provision of ownership information relating to Special Area of Conservation (SAC) to enable notifications issue by the Department of Environment to owners of property within the boundaries of the SACs. We have also provided data to other State Agencies such as the National Roads Authority and Bord Gais to support decision making in relation to infrastructural investments.