Conveyancing – Buying or Selling Land in Ireland

Expert Legal Support for Agricultural, Commercial & Residential Land Transactions

Whether you are buying a single field, selling a residential site, or acquiring a parcel of development land, conveyancing in Ireland can involve additional legal complexity compared to standard house purchases.

At MB Solicitors, we provide expert, plain-speaking legal advice to clients across Ireland and abroad — ensuring that your land transaction proceeds smoothly, securely, and with minimal stress.


MB Solicitors are Law Society registered Property Law Solicitors in Ireland

Expertise in Land Conveyancing Transactions

MB Solicitors Team

Call +353-1-5677343 or use the contact form below for a quote for conveyancing or property law advice*.

*Consultations and conveyancing can be done remotely e.g. via Zoom and we also use digital signature process and e-conveyancing services as suits you.

What Type of Land Are You Buying or Selling?

Our first step is always to understand the nature of the land involved. Different categories of land bring different legal considerations:

🏡 Residential Land

  • Sites with or without planning permission for a house
  • Garden plots being sold or purchased to expand an adjoining property
  • Family land transfers (e.g. gifts of sites between relatives)

🌾 Agricultural Land

  • Working farms, farmland parcels or grazing rights
  • Entitlements and EU scheme participation (e.g. Basic Payment Scheme)
  • Access and rights of way for machinery and livestock

🏢 Commercial or Industrial Land

  • Zoned land for commercial development
  • Retail park plots, warehouse or storage yard sites
  • Service access, easements, and environmental compliance

🏗️ Development Land

  • Land with development potential or speculative value
  • Status of planning permission and zoning designations
  • Infrastructure, drainage and utilities availability

We tailor our conveyancing service to suit the legal and practical issues of each land category, whether the transaction involves private parties, institutional buyers, or property developers.


Key Differences: Land Conveyancing vs Residential Property

While both involve transferring legal ownership, buying or selling land typically involves:

  • More complex title investigation: Boundaries may be unclear or poorly recorded. Older deeds, maps, or informal agreements often need expert interpretation.
  • Longer due diligence periods: Issues like rights of way, zoning status, and third-party consents often require additional searches and negotiations.
  • Unregistered land risks: If the property is in the Registry of Deeds (not Land Registry), proving good title requires careful tracing of deed history. Learn more about the difference here.
  • Adverse Possession claims: If neighbouring land has been used without title for many years, this can raise concerns during title investigation. Read about adverse possession here.
  • Planning and zoning reviews: Especially important for future development, rezoning risk, or use restrictions (e.g. residential use prohibited on industrial land).

Common Legal Issues in Land Conveyancing

🔍 Title & Boundary Disputes

A major concern in rural or older properties. Boundaries may not match OSI maps, or historical fences or hedges may have been moved. Discrepancies can lead to:

  • Boundary disputes with neighbours
  • Challenges to access or right of way
  • Planning compliance issues (e.g. encroachment)

We ensure these are addressed through map reviews, site visits (where necessary), and surveyor input.

🧾 Unregistered Title

If the land is still recorded in the Registry of Deeds, additional legal work is needed to prove “good root of title”. This often involves:

  • Tracing back title for 15+ years
  • Analysing a chain of historical deeds
  • Voluntary First Registration in the Land Registry

This is more common with farmland and older family-owned plots.

⚖️ Zoning and Planning Restrictions

Zoning designations can restrict how land may be used or developed. Our services include:

  • Checking zoning maps and local area plans
  • Reviewing existing or expired planning permissions
  • Advising on Section 47 planning restrictions (common in rural land)

Michael Burns

Micheal Burns of MB Solicitors is an expert Property Lawyer with a career background in the Irish banking sector.

Call +353-1-5677343 or use the contact form below.

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Ger Reddall profile pictureGer Reddall
13:04 03 Nov 25
Used MB Solicitors for a property purchase, Sinead was absolutely brilliant and did everything she could for us.
Highly recommended! Thanks again!
Response from the owner 04:56 04 Nov 25
Will pass your compliments on to Sinéad, thanks Ger.
Vlad Bradila profile pictureVlad Bradila
08:57 24 Oct 25
I went to MB Solicitors for one issue, but since they had some time, they kindly allocated a slot to help me with another matter on the spot. I really appreciated their flexibility and professionalism!
Response from the owner 20:44 30 Oct 25
Thanks Vlad, happy to be of help!
Simon Hogan profile pictureSimon Hogan
10:43 16 Oct 25
Many thanks to Michael and the team at MB Solicitors for helping with the conveyancing for a our new home. The whole process was efficient and professional.
Response from the owner 05:17 17 Oct 25
Happy to be of service Simon and congrats on your new home.
Ryan profile pictureRyan
14:44 14 Oct 25
MB Solicitors has been an absolute asset for dealing with legal needs and has helped me navigate areas I would have never been able to navigate through without.

The professionalism and clarity were very helpful and needed.

I would absolutely use them again!
Response from the owner 04:01 15 Oct 25
Good to hear that feedback, thanks for that Ryan.
A G profile pictureA G
17:19 27 Sep 25
Michael and his team at MB Solicitors assisted me with a recent property purchase and they were very helpful throughout the entire process. There were one or two obstacles that they had to get around on my behalf and they did so very efficiently and without any issue. Highly recommended.
Response from the owner 04:38 07 Oct 25
Good to hear!
John Murphy profile pictureJohn Murphy
12:07 22 Sep 25
Well if u are looking for legal advice. I won’t bother contacting these people as they are to busy . . Save ur self a call try another solicitor even tough their ad says we will help u. Thats a negatory .
Paul Perry profile picturePaul Perry
12:40 20 Sep 25
Thanks to Michael and the team at MB Solicitors who helped me with the sale of a property. Michael was always quick to reply to any potential problems and set a fixed rate for their services. Thanks again.
Response from the owner 05:01 21 Sep 25
Thanks Paul.
Biren Patnaik profile pictureBiren Patnaik
12:08 17 Sep 25
I would like to express my deepest appreciation for Michael at MB Solicitors, whose professionalism, dedication, and expertise were instrumental in helping me navigate a complex and emotionally taxing property matter in Ireland.

From the outset, Michael demonstrated an exceptional grasp of both the legal and practical dimensions of my case. He guided me through the eviction process with clarity, precision, and unwavering support—ensuring that every step was handled lawfully, respectfully, and efficiently. What could have been a prolonged and stressful ordeal was instead resolved with remarkable speed and minimal disruption, thanks to his strategic approach and calm demeanour.

Following the eviction, Michael seamlessly transitioned into managing the conveyancing for the sale of the property. His attention to detail, responsiveness, and ability to anticipate potential hurdles made the entire transaction smooth and reassuring. He kept me informed at every stage, liaised effectively with all parties involved, and ensured that the sale was completed without delays or surprises.

What truly sets Michael apart is his integrity and genuine commitment to his clients. He treated my concerns with empathy and urgency, and I always felt that my case was in safe, capable hands. His communication was prompt and clear, and he never hesitated to go the extra mile to ensure everything was done properly.

I wholeheartedly recommend Michael and MB Solicitors to anyone seeking legal support in property matters. His professionalism is matched only by his kindness and reliability. I am incredibly grateful for his help and would not hesitate to work with him again in the future.

Thank you, Michael, for everything.

Warm regards,
Response from the owner 05:06 18 Sep 25
Biren, thank you very much for such a considered and comprehensive review.
Áine Dooley profile pictureÁine Dooley
11:57 29 Aug 25
We recently bought our first home with the help of Michael and Sinead at MB Solicitors, and we couldn’t be happier with the service we received. From start to finish, they made what could have been a stressful process feel smooth and straightforward.

Michael was always clear, professional, and thorough in his advice, giving us confidence at every step. Sinead was fantastic at keeping us updated and ensuring all the details were taken care of promptly. Together, they made an excellent team; approachable, efficient, and genuinely supportive throughout the journey.

As first-time buyers, we had plenty of questions, but nothing was ever too much trouble. Their communication was excellent, and they always made us feel reassured and in safe hands.

We’re so grateful for their guidance and would highly recommend MB Solicitors to anyone looking to buy their first home or needing legal support. Thanks for everything!
Response from the owner 05:23 01 Sep 25
That's good to hear Áine - first time buying process can be daunting so glad you were re-assured by our legal team. Best of luck with your new home!
Eileen McGovern profile pictureEileen McGovern
09:40 25 Aug 25
MB Solicitors have recently assisted me with the sale of my property. From the outset Michael was courteous, knowledgeable, efficient and communicative. Any queries were dealt with in a prompt and efficient manner and at all times I was kept informed through email or in-person meetings. Dora, a legal executive at MB Solicitors and initial point of contact, was equally professional, courteous and communicative. Michael was diligent in chasing up any concerns or issues and thus alleviated any stress I was experiencing, whilst also speeding up the sale process. Based on my experience, I'd confidently recommend MB Solicitors when selling a house.
Response from the owner 05:14 01 Sep 25
Thanks for the recommendation Eileen - will pass on your positive feedback to Dora as well.
Sam Smith profile pictureSam Smith
22:40 26 Mar 25
Myself & my partner can't recommend MB solicitors enough, they made the mortgage switching process a breeze. Michael, offered us a high level of professionalism, knowledge and experience, while making the process simple and understandable. My partner and I took advantage of the Will service available at MB solicitors. Michael, fielded all my stupid questions (much appreciated, sorry again for taking up your time) but this allowed us make informed decisions.
Thanks again MB solicitors Team (5/5 experience)
David Adams profile pictureDavid Adams
11:02 21 Mar 25
I would highly recommend MB Solicitor’s for all your legal needs.
Michael is extremely professional whilst still maintaining a personal touch.
I will be continuing to use Michael for the foreseeable future.
Grace Shannon profile pictureGrace Shannon
16:49 06 Mar 25
I highly reccommend mb solicitors malahide rd.from start to finish Michael was amazing he talked us through the process in detail and told us not to worry that he will.jandle.it all and make our journey as stress free as possible.he is highly professional and is consistent with keeping you updated on every step.dora the secretary is also amazing she so quick at responding to you.if your looking for high class professionalism Michael is definitely worth going to.thank you Michael and Dora for making our journey go smoothly.
Smart invest profile pictureSmart invest
12:54 29 Dec 24
Michael is an outstanding solicitor. He handled the complexities of our property purchase with exceptional care and professionalism, navigating issues involving international banks with varying requirements. From start to finish, Michael guided us through every step of the process, addressing challenges with expertise and ensuring a smooth transition until we received the keys. He is now diligently managing the property registration. Without a doubt, Michael is a top notch dealmaker.
Claudio Frisoli profile pictureClaudio Frisoli
16:35 03 Dec 24
I can’t thank Michael enough for his help with selling our house (he actually help us when we bought the house and we came back to him when we wanted to sell).

He explained the process in detail, making everything so much easier to understand, and was always quick to respond to my questions. His support made the whole experience stress free. Highly recommend!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

💬 Can I buy a site for a self-build?

Yes, but we’ll need to review planning history, access, local housing need requirements, and compliance with rural housing policy. >> See our conveyancing guide to self=build properties

💬 What if there’s no clear access to the land?

This is a red flag. We investigate if a legal right of way exists or needs to be created. Without access, land value and usability can be severely affected.

💬 Does land need to be registered?

Yes, under Irish law, any sale of land now triggers compulsory Land Registry registration. We assist with voluntary registration beforehand if needed.

💬 Can I buy land that someone else is using?

Sometimes, yes — but we’ll need to assess whether any adverse possession claims or informal tenancies apply. If someone has occupied part of the land for 12+ years without consent, it may impact title.


Our Conveyancing Services for Land Transactions

With MB Solicitors, you benefit from:

  • Clear fee structures with no hidden charges
  • Detailed pre-contract review and due diligence
  • Advice on maps, planning, title, and boundary law
  • Fast turnaround of requisitions and contract documents
  • Guidance on tax and stamp duty treatment
  • Liaison with your surveyor, architect or engineer (if needed)
  • Peace of mind throughout the process

We regularly act for clients in Dublin, Clontarf, Marino, across Ireland and overseas — especially where the buyer is abroad or the land is part of a family asset.


Make an Enquiry Today

Thinking of buying or selling land in Ireland? Whether it’s a field, a site, or an entire development parcel, we’re here to help. Our experienced team will guide you through the process from start to finish, identifying and solving issues before they become problems.

If you are Buying or Selling Land in Ireland, contact MB Solicitors at +353-1-5677343 for a no obligation fixed fee conveyancing quotation or use the enquiry form below.


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