The primary consumer protections relevant to homebuyers are found in the general prohibitions on misleading and unfair commercial practices under Part 3 of the Consumer Protection Act 2007, which prohibit traders from providing false or misleading information, omitting material information, or engaging in practices likely to mislead consumers. These provisions apply in full to any trader engaged in the marketing or sale of residential property, including developers and other commercial sellers.
I recognise the importance of ensuring that consumers purchasing homes have access to clear, accurate and comprehensive information to support what is, for most households, the single largest financial transaction they will undertake. The Programme for Government committed the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to creating a home-buyer's guide, and the CCPC has this guide available on its website.
The CCPC recently commissioned a report which highlighted knowledge gaps, financial pressures and delays in conveyancing as ongoing issues for homebuyers and sellers in Ireland and my Department is examining the CCPC’s recommendations.
