IrelandWhat is a vendor's obligation regarding title?
A vendor in Ireland must deliver a good, marketable title to the buyer at completion, as required by the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009.
What the Law Says
The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 sets out the vendor’s core obligation regarding title in a sale of land in Ireland.
Under Irish law, when selling land, the vendor is legally required to provide the buyer with a 'good and marketable title' — meaning the title must be legally sound, free from serious defects, and acceptable to a reasonable purchaser acting prudently.
This obligation arises automatically upon contract and must be fulfilled at the time of completion — that is, when ownership formally passes and purchase monies are exchanged.
The vendor must also ensure the title can be registered in the buyer’s name in the Land Registry (if applicable) or supported by sufficient evidence for registration in the Registry of Deeds.
Statutory TextA vendor of land shall, on completion of the sale, convey to the purchaser a good and marketable title to the land.
— Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009, s. 51 — Vendor's obligation as to title
What to Do
Review the title deeds and documents (e.g., folio, map, planning permissions) before marketing the property.
Ensure all mortgages, charges, or restrictions affecting the title are disclosed and resolved before completion.
Engage a solicitor to prepare and verify the title documentation and draft the contract of sale.
Provide the buyer’s solicitor with full title information promptly upon request.
Be prepared to rectify any title defects (e.g., missing consents, unregistered easements) before completion.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.