Weekly Irish property market news and insights – for the industry, by the industry

Happy Easter to all! Before we get stuck into the general property news of the week, below are the local and international stories that might be of particular interest:

• From the strategic to the creative, Property District is Ireland’s leading communications agency for the planning, construction and property sectors. As a full-service communications agency, we specialise in helping your business create a dynamic brand, generate buzz around its projects, products and services, and we help you to attract new customers and team members. Our experienced team includes strategic marketers, PR/publicists, journalists, copywriters and social media experts who know what it takes to make sure your message is heard. We offer customised integrated tactics and creative campaigns, executing them with precision to ensure you stand out from the competition and achieve your goals. Email info@propertydistrict.ie to chat through some strategies for your business

 

• Action needed over petty wars of words in housing: ‘It’s some trajectory, to go from no homeless families in 2012, to where we now find ourselves in 2023’  https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-41110780.html

 

• State’s poor track record on how to count houses adds to difficulty in resolving crisis: Concern that housing figures are being ‘politicised’ and ‘selectively released’ after the controversy over the delay in the publication of eviction notices  https://www.businesspost.ie/analysis-opinion/states-poor-track-record-on-how-to-count-houses-adds-to-difficulty-in-resolving-crisis/

 

• Department failed to spend €1bn earmarked for housing over past three years: Underspend could have funded construction of 4,000 social houses https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/04/06/department-of-housing-failed-to-spend-15bn-over-last-three-years/

 

• Land Development Agency ‘rejects’ sixteen Limerick sites offered for affordable housing  https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/1078764/land-development-agency-rejects-sixteen-limerick-sites-offered-for-affordable-housing.html

 

• Are Ireland’s political parties inspiring a new populism over housing?  https://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/cahirodoherty/irelands-political-parties-populism-housing.amp

 

• 65,000 potential homes trapped in planning limbo  https://m.independent.ie/business/irish/65000-potential-homes-trapped-in-planning-limbo-42420298.html

 

• Forecasters keep underestimating new home completions – we need to get it right: Opinion: Arguing between 27,000 and 30,000 housing completions may seem like splitting hairs but it has important policy and political implications  https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/2023/04/03/forecasters-keep-underestimating-new-home-completions-we-need-to-get-it-right/

 

• What are the rules for gardaí in policing evictions? Gardaí should not attend eviction ‘unless a criminal offence is alleged or disclosed’ under new policy issued in 2020  https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/housing-planning/2023/04/02/eviction-ban-ends-what-is-the-role-of-gardai-in-tenancy-disputes/

 

• PwC warns clients to sell assets before Sinn Féin gets into power – International services firm highlights ‘huge threat’ party’s tax policies pose to Irish economy  https://www.businesspost.ie/article/pwc-warns-clients-to-sell-assets-before-sinn-fein-gets-into-power/

 

• O’Brien yet to address role in delay in publication of evictions data: Housing minister asked to clarify whether political pressure was put on Residential Tenancies Board to postpone release of vital information ahead of lifting of eviction ban  https://www.businesspost.ie/article/obrien-yet-to-address-role-in-delay-in-publication-of-evictions-data/

 

• Landlord advertising apartments on Airbnb after he evicted tenants and said he was selling up: Dublin City Council orders ‘cessation of the unauthorised use’ for short-term letting of block on Reuben Street  https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/housing-planning/2023/04/03/landlord-advertising-apartments-on-airbnb-after-he-evicted-tenants-and-said-he-was-selling-up/ Also: What happened when 45 tenants were evicted so their homes could be Airbnb holiday lets?  https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/in-the-news/what-happened-when-45-tenants-were-evicted-so-their-homes-could-be-airbnb-holiday-lets/

 

• Landlord used rooms for Airbnb with tenants still in house – Property investor Marc Godart evicted tenants from north Dublin house after they lodged case with Residential Tenancies Board  https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/housing-planning/2023/04/08/landlord-used-rooms-for-airbnb-with-tenants-still-in-house/

 

• Owners of rural Airbnb properties could get exemption from planning permission requirement: Easing of planned crackdown on short-term lets in areas with less than 5,000 people under consideration by Government  https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/04/07/owners-of-rural-airbnb-properties-could-get-exemption-from-planning-permission-requirement/

 

• Plans to curb short-term letting hits roadblock with European Commission: European Commission says Government has failed to ‘provide sufficient information and evidence’ to support proposed measures  https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/housing-planning/2023/04/05/plans-to-curb-short-term-letting-hits-ec-roadblock/

 

• Affordable housing should be enshrined as a right in Ireland: We have got to a stage where the unthinkable for some families has happened  https://www.echolive.ie/corkviews/arid-41109178.html

 

• Court overturns ruling in land certificate case: Legal sources say the original High Court decision could have erased the security for ‘hundred of loans’  https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/04/05/court-overturns-ruling-in-land-certificate-case/

 

• European Central Bank says €1trn property funds pose threat to financial stability  https://m.independent.ie/business/world/european-central-bank-says-1trn-property-funds-pose-threat-to-financial-stability-42416987.html

 

• A Donegal County councillor who is facing the prospect of having to demolish and rebuild his home as a result of defective blocks and concrete, has called for the Attorney General here to take action against the Irish Government.  https://www.derrynow.com/news/home/1076610/donegal-councillor-makes-call-over-defective-concrete-blocks.html

 

• Hotel Killarney ready for tourism as asylum seekers get 24-hour notice of new location  https://m.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/news/hotel-killarney-ready-for-tourism-as-asylum-seekers-get-24-hour-notice-of-new-location-42418523.html

 

• Donegal County Council nearly cut involvement with €3bn mica scheme due to attacks on staff: Authority has issued a series of stark warnings about proposed regulations which will underpin a new version of the scheme to help thousands of homeowners impacted by defective blocks https://www.businesspost.ie/news/donegal-county-council-nearly-cut-involvement-with-e3bn-mica-scheme-due-to-attacks-on-staff/

 

• Forbes billionaire list sees fortunes of Ireland’s richest fall: Just one of the nine listed billionaires, Cork-born Dermot Desmond saw his net worth rise in 2023  https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/economy/arid-41109274.html

 

• Log cabins should not need planning permission, to help ease the housing crisis. That’s according to the Rural Independents Group, which says Ireland’s planning laws must be relaxed.  https://www.northernsound.ie/news/log-cabins-should-not-need-planning-permission-mattie-mcgrath-212961

 

• Why we love helping architects to become developers  https://www.bdonline.co.uk/opinion/why-we-love-helping-architects-to-become-developers/5122465.article

 

• Minister McGrath publishes terms of reference for ‘Funds Sector 2030: A Framework for Open, Resilient & Developing Markets’  https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/2ee7c-minister-mcgrath-publishes-terms-of-reference-for-funds-sector-2030-a-framework-for-open-resilient-developing-markets/

 

 

• How the European Union and Irish tourism rental laws compare overall  https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/how-the-european-union-and-irish-tourism-rental-laws-compare-overall-42422851.html

 

• Ires Reit insider snapped up stock as shares hit all-time low: Move by chief financial officer Brian Fagan will be seen as a positive signal by small investors  https://m.independent.ie/business/irish/ires-reit-insider-snapped-up-stock-as-shares-hit-all-time-low-42424126.html

 

 

If you missed last week’s round-up, you can catch up here: https://propertydistrict.ie/sunday-roundup/

As always, you might let me know if I have missed out on any relevant property news by emailing  carol@propertydistrict.ie.

(Apologies in advance for any typos, it’s difficult to get good help on a Sunday. Also, I use voice to text dictation so just sound out anything that really doesn’t make sense in a strong rural accent and that should help!)

 

SUNDAY LISTEN

We are excited to share the growth of iPropertyRadio! What started as #PropertyMatters, a 60-minute weekly show on Dublin South FM 93.9FM over 4 years ago, has now evolved into a global online station for the best construction, urban planning, property and proptech content. Check out our website, iPropertyRadio.com, brought to you by Hear Me Roar Media for live and recorded access to all the week’s built environment news.

 

Want to have your industry podcast included or be a guest on our shows? Reach out to us at hello@ipropertyradio.com. Last year, we hit a massive 7.5 million digital impressions across our brands and this figure is growing – Q4 2022/Q1 2023 we now have an  average of 765,876 digital impressions each month, not including radio listenership and website visits. Huge thanks to all of you for your continued support!

This week on iPropertyRadio…

Restoring Ireland’s Vacant And Derelict Buildings

This week on ‘Property Matters’ on iPropertyRadio, host Carol Tallon is joined by Patrick O’Toole, Managing Director of Meitheal Architects, a medium size practice with offices in Dublin, Cork and Kerry. Patrick discussed the scale and extent of our success in delivering innovative, urban housing stock in the area of derelict/dis-used properties. Meitheal Architects are working to ensure the existing supply of properties is fully utilised, through the repurposing of vacant and derelict buildings, sensitively restoring them as high-quality sustainable homes.

Watch back and listen back: https://ipropertyradio.com/property-matters/

 

*Design-Build-Finance For Residential Site Infrastructure*

 

This week, host Carol Tallon chats to Niall Morrissey, CEO of the Housing Infrastructure Services Company (HISCo) about how the company is unlocking land for residential development by delivering key infrastructure throughout the country.

 

HISCo is involved in the delivery of the Drogheda Port Access Northern Cross Route, (the Taoiseach and Minister Darargh O’Brien turned the sod last month), which is initially facilitating the delivery of 1,300 homes and when the road is completed, up to 5,000 homes, in the northern environs of Drogheda.

Listen back to understand the cost model, which is calculated on a per unit basis and only payable as each unit is sold/leased, and the pipeline of projects for 2023/2024.

Watch back and listen back: https://ipropertyradio.com/breaking-ground/

The future of bespoke financial advisory through automation

In the iPropertyRadio.com Proptech Hot Seat with host Carol Tallon this week is Bonnie Murray, Founder of Raccord. Raccord is a tool created for Real Estate Investment & Asset Management professionals that distils complicated Excel models and integrates disparate data sources into one location, allowing for real-time portfolio analysis at your fingertips.It also helps investors to meet their goals in an unpredictable economic environment. Bonnies gives a unique insight on the real estate investment industry having come from a financial markets background.

 

*Proptech Hot seat is sponsored by Proptech Ireland, the hub for innovators, investors and industry leaders.

Watch back and listen back: https://ipropertyradio.com/proptech-hot-seat/

Produced by Hear Me Roar Media https://hearmeroarmedia.com

Landlords “don’t have any fairness across the rental market” | Newstalk

 

“These weak policies that are designed to be popular and responding to populist notions, because the housing market has become so politicised…”   Listen back to Property District CEO, Carol Tallon, on Newstalk Breakfast: https://www.newstalk.com/news/landlords-dont-have-any-fairness-across-the-rental-market-construction-pr-ceo-1452761

 

PLACEMAKING

OPEN PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Céard é Comhfhorbairt Áite? “Teastaíonn dea-áitíocht saineolaithe ildisciplíneacha freagraí a chur ar fáil, ach tugann áitíocht maith guth don phobal chun na ceisteanna cearta a chur ar bun.” 👉https://placeengage.com/ceard-e-comhfhorbairt-aite/

 

 

• PLACEengage | Public Consultation & Community Engagement for Delivering Ireland’s Greenways https://placeengage.com/public-consultation-community-engagement-for-delivering-irelands-greenways/

 

• Public forum examining Ireland’s neutrality to be held in Dublin, Galway and Cork in June: Micheál Martin says there is no preconceived outcome to the debate.  https://www.thejournal.ie/national-forum-irelands-neutrality-6036486-Apr2023/

 

• Shortage of accommodation could delay opening of National Children’s Hospital  https://www.breakingnews.ie/amp/ireland/shortage-of-accommodation-could-delay-opening-of-national-childrens-hospital-1458020.html

 

• Refugees could be housed in Frascati office building in Dublin’s exclusive Blackrock suburb: Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/refugees-could-be-housed-in-frascati-office-building-in-dublins-exclusive-blackrock-suburb-42420926.html

 

• Bull Island set to be partially closed off to protect wildlife: Dogs must be kept on a lead on all parts of the islands apart from a designated beach  https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/bull-island-set-partially-closed-26627786

 

• Cork City housing units still vacant nine months after completion: Total of 11 apartments at Mandeville Place on the Pouladuff Road in Cork City’s southside, made up of five one-bed units and six two-bed units, still do not have any occupants  https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41108431.html

 

• Key date in Marina Market’s battle for future as An Bord Pleanala set to give decision: The market owners took a case to ABP after the council refused their application to remain in late 2022  https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/key-date-marina-markets-battle-26649463

 

• City’s famous Counting House to finally reopen for festival: It’ll be the first opportunity to see inside the Beamish and Crawford building since the site works got underway  https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/citys-famous-counting-house-finally-26658586

 

• Greenway and rail can co-exist – at a cost   https://connachttribune.ie/transport-minister-not-ruling-out-two-options-working-side-by-side-at-a-cost/

 

• New Salmon Weir Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge to open in coming weeks https://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/new-salmon-weir-pedestrian-and-cycle-bridge-to-open-in-coming-weeks/

 

• An Bord Pleanála issues refusal for former Mad Yolk Farm lands  https://connachttribune.ie/an-bord-pleanala-issues-refusal-for-former-mad-yolk-farm-lands/

 

• Gardai in Stations serving Gaeltacht areas needing to be proficient in the Irish language is discussed at Galway CPC Meeting  https://connachttribune.ie/gardai-in-stations-serving-gaeltacht-areas-needing-to-be-proficient-in-the-irish-language-is-discussed-at-galway-cpc-meeting/amp/

 

• Council plan to knock houses in Limerick estate to curb anti-social behaviour https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/1076851/council-plan-to-knock-houses-in-limerick-estate-to-curb-anti-social-behaviour.html

 

• All-Ireland winning hurlers among St Flannan’s staff opposing plans for community hospital  https://www.breakingnews.ie/amp/ireland/all-ireland-winning-hurlers-among-st-flannans-staff-opposing-plans-for-community-hospital-1457532.html

 

• The changing streets of Kilkenny – see before and after pics!  https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/your-community/1075415/gallery-the-changing-streets-of-kilkenny-see-before-and-after-pics.html

 

• Farmer challenging An Bord Pleanála’s refusal of permission to build new home: Planning body told woman she had not shown social or economic need to live in particular area of Co Kildare  https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/housing-planning/2023/04/04/farmer-challenging-an-bord-pleanalas-refusal-of-permission-to-build-new-home/

 

• Plans for exciting new adventure park at Westport House  https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2023/04/04/plans-for-exciting-new-adventure-park-at-westport-house/

 

• From Manorhamilton with love: A dynamic Border town in full regeneration mode: Grá le Manor campaign aims to show visitors the artistic town is thriving even as it gets a much-needed facelift  https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/people/2023/04/08/from-manorhamilton-with-love-a-dynamic-border-town-in-full-regeneration-mode/

 

• Kerry’s tourism industry encouraged to support development of Discover Kerry brand  https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/kerrys-tourism-industry-encouraged-to-support-development-of-discover-kerry-brand-325344

 

• Kerry village feels greenway vibe – ‘It’s the best thing to happen Fenit since the pier was built in the 1800s’: The new Tralee-Fenit Greenway is being touted as a game-changer for tourism as business owners in the tiny coastal village of Fenit start to feel positive economic vibes  https://m.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/news/kerry-village-feels-greenway-vibe-its-the-best-thing-to-happen-fenit-since-the-pier-was-built-in-the-1800s-42422132.html

 

CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT NEWS

 

• The Taoiseach has blamed construction constraints for the slow rate of new housing builds. “No matter who’s in government, those constraints will be there”- that was the message delivered by the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to Newstalk Breakfast on Friday. https://www.joe.ie/news/taoiseach-makes-housing-claim-772017

 

• TU Dublin criticised over lack of progress in Build Digital:Group of construction-sector and government figures are concerned that the TUD scheme, designed to speed up housing delivery, is turning into an academic research project with no practical results https://www.businesspost.ie/article/dublin-university-criticised-over-lack-of-progress-in-build-digital-project/

 

• Housing for All encourages the use of modern methods of construction to improve, support and accelerate delivery of housing. To facilitate the adoption of #MMC, The Housing Agency’s Procurement unit have developed a “design and build” guidance document  👉https://mmcireland.ie/report-on-housing-for-all-plan-and-modern-methods-of-construction/

 

• Tourist season set to take 1,300 beds from system housing refugees: Pod-style modular homes which will be delivered in a shorter time frame are being considered.  https://www.thejournal.ie/refugee-accommodation-hotel-contracts-6035889-Apr2023/

 

• Work to resume on almost 60 stalled new school buildings – Construction delays linked to high inflation had sparked protests from schools affected  https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/education/2023/04/05/work-to-resume-on-almost-60-stalled-new-school-buildings/

 

• ‘The future of Dublin is not in glass towers, 20 or 30 storeys high’: John Bruder is trying to bring back the concept of living over the shop, with 45 apartments built above the Frascati shopping centre in Blackrock  https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/04/07/the-future-of-dublin-is-not-in-glass-towers-20-or-30-storeys-high-we-have-two-storeys-of-retail-three-storeys-of-apartments-five-in-total/

 

• Green light given for 2,341 residential units for north Dublin – Four separate planning permissions granted in one day in a bid to clear the backlog of strategic housing development cases  https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/04/04/green-light-give-for-2341-residential-units-for-north-dublin/

 

• Inside Kennedy Wilson – Part 1 of 3: The 3,500 apartments that pioneered the institutional landlord model in Ireland: Explore all the residential properties the US investor has bought, built and sold, for how much and with whom https://thecurrency.news/articles/113565/inside-kennedy-wilson-part-1-the-3500-apartments-that-pioneered-the-institutional-landlord-model-in-ireland/

 

• Inside Kennedy Wilson – Part 2: From zero to two million sq ft of commercial property: The mammoth Capital Dock and Coopers Cross projects book-end the US investor’s rise to date in the Dublin office market. Yet a deal-by-deal analysis shows that its presence in Irish commercial property reaches deeper than the surface of trophy developments. https://thecurrency.news/articles/113576/inside-kennedy-wilson-part-2-from-zero-to-two-million-sq-ft-of-commercial-property/

 

• Planners give green light to 255-unit apartment scheme in Santry  https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/an-bord-pleanala-given-green-light-to-255-unit-apartment-scheme-for-santry-1457514.html

 

• Construction of 200 new homes begins in Sandyford: Respond announced that the construction of new housing units is underway, with 133 units allocated to people on Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council’s housing list https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/construction-200-new-homes-begins-26622357

 

• Paddy McKillen jnr in bid to develop boutique resort and surf school at Wicklow beach: Developer acquired 21 acres of land overlooking famed Magheramore Beach for €700,000 in 2021  https://www.irishtimes.com/property/residential/2023/04/05/paddy-mckillen-jnr-in-bid-to-develop-boutique-resort-and-surf-school-at-wicklow-beach/

 

• 3,000+ new houses built in Cork in 2022: Latest property report from MyHome.ie in association with Davy revealed a total of 3,150 houses were built in Cork City and county last year, and that house prices in the region increased.  https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41112283.html

 

• Developer on Housing Commission seeks vacant land tax exemption for more than 20 properties in Cork – Michael O’Flynn says the properties should not have been designated as liable for taxation  https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/housing-planning/2023/04/03/developer-on-housing-commission-seeks-exemption-for-more-than-20-properties-in-cork/

 

• PLANS by Developer OMD (C) Ltd  to build a scheme of houses in a scenic area of Tower near Blarney have been turned down by Cork City Council.  https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41108764.html

 

• Cork City Council to build over 100 more ‘rightsize’ homes for the elderly – The scheme is open to people aged over 60 or those who need smaller homes on medical grounds: https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/cork-city-council-build-over-26627441

 

• Planning permission sought for apartments on Cork’s northside: The development involves the construction of a six-story residential property  https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41107690.html

 

• Owner has a fifth go at redeveloping derelict Blackpool building  https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41110837.html

 

• EU report says lack of infrastructure hurting economy of West  https://connachttribune.ie/eu-report-says-lack-of-infrastructure-hurting-economy-of-west/

 

• Land Development Agency could take another 5 years to deliver for Limerick  https://www.live95fm.ie/news/live95-news/land-development-agency-could-take-another-5-years-to-deliver-for-limerick/

 

• Ambitious plans for 750 homes in new Galway City quarter  https://www.galwaydaily.com/news/housing/ambitious-plans-for-750-new-homes-in-galway-city/

 

• Plans lodged for 45-bed apartment block at Headford Road  https://connachttribune.ie/plans-lodged-for-45-bed-apartment-block-at-headford-road/

 

• Owners won’t pay levy on sites that will never be given green light for housing  https://connachttribune.ie/owners-wont-pay-levy-on-sites-that-will-never-be-given-green-light-for-housing/amp/

 

• First modular homes for Ukrainians fleeing war will not now be ready until June  https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41108347.html

 

• Three lots of prime development land in Limerick coming to market – The lands in a variety of sizes and shapes are zoned for enterprise and employment use and are located next to a student village, while they can be bought individually or as one unit  https://www.businesspost.ie/property/three-lots-of-prime-development-land-in-limerick-coming-to-market/

 

• Plans for modular homes in West Waterford town scrapped  https://www.wlrfm.com/news/plans-for-modular-homes-in-west-waterford-town-scrapped-300255

 

• Green light to convert disused filling station in Kilkenny into an injury clinic  https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/kilkenny-city/1078142/green-light-to-convert-old-filling-station-in-kilkenny-into-injury-clinic.html

 

• Thieves take €4,000 worth of construction equipment from Carlow building site: 80 ‘acrow props’ were taken from the site in Carraig Brook between 5pm on Friday and 8am on Monday  https://kclr96fm.com/thieves-e4000-buildingsite-acrow/

 

• Over 330 homes planned for Cornamaddy and Ballykeeran  https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2023/04/06/over-330-homes-planned-for-cornamaddy-and-ballykeeran/

 

• Plans for 192 new Drogheda homes re-submitted to Louth County Council  https://m.independent.ie/regionals/louth/plans-for-192-new-drogheda-homes-re-submitted-to-louth-county-council-42422191.html

 

• Extension to Collinstown estate finally approved  https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2023/04/08/extension-to-collinstown-estate-finally-approved/

 

• Major plans for former Portlaoise Church property in heart of Laois town  https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/property/1078195/major-plans-for-former-portlaoise-church-property-in-heart-of-laois-town.html

 

• Longford business man to lead building manufacturers group Octabuild  https://www.longfordleader.ie/news/home/1078219/longford-business-man-to-lead-building-manufacturers-group-octabuild.html

 

• Planning lodged for extension to Longford manufacturing facility  https://www.shannonside.ie/news/planning-lodged-for-extension-to-longford-manufacturing-facility-221684

 

PROPTECH, ESG, MMC & CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION

 

• Proptech Ireland is updating the database of 2023 Irish technology providers for the built environment – From smart design and planning right through to the smart property transaction, where does your Irish-led or Ireland-based proptech  or MMC business sit?  Pease take five minutes to add or update your details to our internationally-shared listing here: SIGN UP HERE: *https://prop-tech.ie/register/ * and email product or service details to hello@prop-tech.ie

 

 

• European proptech seed deal activity slowed in Q4  https://aimgroup.com/2023/04/06/european-proptech-seed-deal-activity-slowed-in-q4/

 

• Eirmersive is delighted to announce Onward #3 : Exploring the opportunities and challenges around Immersive Technologies for Civic Engagement – the third in our Immersive Industry event series supported by Meta. Onward #3 takes place on the evening of Thursday April 20th at Meta HQ in Ballsbridge, Dublin.  https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/onward-3-immersive-technologies-for-civic-engagement-tickets-582247978377

 

• Tech startup tackles Ireland’s housing crisis by connecting buyers with vacant properties: Homebuyer’s Hero is using technology to solve Ireland’s housing shortage  https://tech.eu/2023/04/05/can-tech-solve-the-housing-shortage/

 

• HomeHak makes rental sector about people instead of property by flipping the rental model on its head: Speaking to The Echo, HomeHak CEO and founder, Pat Drinan, explained that the HomeHak way of renting flips the usual renting model on its head.  https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41112439.html

 

• ChatGPT integrated into SharpLaunch platform | propertyEU https://propertyeu.info/Nieuws/ChatGPT-integrated-into-SharpLaunch-platform/99a9581a-1c14-4af8-8dc3-5e519d8f1408

 

• The Future of Real Estate is Shifting to Proptech – ReadWrite https://readwrite.com/the-future-of-real-estate-is-shifting-to-proptech/

 

• 45+ Proptech Startups Transforming Real Estate in CEE https://therecursive.com/45-proptech-solutions-transforming-real-estate-in-the-cee/

 

• The Home Assistant SkyConnect is a great excuse to demolish your smart home and start from scratch: For years, I have been waiting for an excuse to make the transition to Home Assistant. With the Home Assistant’s Zigbee and Thread dongle, I had that excuse https://www.theverge.com/23641940/home-assistant-skyconnect-thread-matter-zigbee-smart-home

 

• UK’s greenworkx takes aim at the domestic retrofit skills challenge  https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/03/greenworkx-pre-seed/

 

• How can modern methods of construction improve the construction process? Modern methods of construction could improve the construction process – but will everyone get on board? https://www.construction-europe.com/news/how-can-modern-methods-of-construction-improve-the-construction-process/8027660.article

 

• Digital monitoring and the path to safer construction sites  https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/agenda/opinion/industry-pulse/digital-monitoring-and-the-path-to-safer-sites-03-04-2023/

 

• Housing developer secures injunction stopping subcontractor removing kitchen units: A subcontractor has claimed that it was not paid for its services by the main contractor, which went into liquidation.  https://www.thejournal.ie/injunction-to-stop-removal-of-kitchen-units-6038689-Apr2023/

 

• Proptech startup Place sues advisory firm claiming cut of Series A: M&A firm Vista Point Advisors wants fee from $100M funding round  https://therealdeal.com/sanfrancisco/2023/04/07/proptech-startup-place-sues-advisory-firm-claiming-cut-of-series-a/

 

• Property Technology (Prop Tech) Market 2023-2032 Recent Industry Innovations – Airbnb, Compass, Fangdd, Ziroom, Locale, OYO  https://thesemweekly.org/property-technology-prop-tech-market-2023-2032-recent-industry-innovations-airbnb-compass-fangdd-ziroom-locale-oyo/

 

• Global PropTech Market to 2028: Increasing use of IoT in Real Estate Drives Growth  https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/04/06/2642328/0/en/Global-PropTech-Market-to-2028-Increasing-use-of-IoT-in-Real-Estate-Drives-Growth.html

 

ENERGY, CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT

 

• Ryan mulls Green policy U-turn on commercial LNG terminal: Government under growing pressure to accept need for commercial liquified natural gas import terminal as concerns grow over security of supply  https://www.businesspost.ie/news/ryan-mulls-green-policy-u-turn-on-commercial-lng-terminal/

 

• “Timber will not save us and concrete will not end us” says commenter  https://www.dezeen.com/2023/04/06/timber-will-not-save-us-and-concrete-will-not-end-us-says-commenter/

 

• SSE Renewables is looking into building a large wind farm off the Kerry coast: Sister firm of SSE Airtricity said it was seeking an investigative foreshore licence to do survey work for a possible new offshore wind farm, near Tarbert.  https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/sse-renewables-exploring-new-wind-farm-off-kerry-coast-42419910.html

 

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY NEWS (including PRS)

• ‘Move to another city’: major Dublin landlord firm’s advice to save money: Patrizia, one of the capital’s biggest landlords, says on its website that Dublin is ‘tremendous craic’ but adds that you need deep pockets to afford it  https://www.businesspost.ie/article/move-to-another-city-major-dublin-landlord-firms-advice-to-save-money/

 

• Age of typical home buyer now 35 to 40 across the country: Those getting a mortgage in 2021 had median income of €79,200 as scarcity means buyers are now older and richer than in the past  https://m.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/property-mortgages/age-of-typical-home-buyer-now-35-to-40-across-the-country-42417708.html

 

• More than a third of all homes now bought with cash  https://extra.ie/2023/04/08/property/a-third-homes-bought-with-cash

 

• Irish property prices show ‘modest slowdown’: Low housing stock levels remain a major concern  https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/04/03/property-prices-show-modest-slowdown-but-freefall-not-expected-says-myhomeie/

 

• ‘I think sellers are nervous’: rising interest rates hits holiday home market – Easter usually marks an uptick in holiday home transactions but lack of supply and rising interest rates look set to curb activity this year  https://www.irishtimes.com/property/2023/04/08/i-think-sellers-are-nervous-rising-interest-rates-hits-holiday-home-market/

 

• It’s time to stop the extend and pretend, and for banks to write off unpayable debt: The small number of ‘won’t pay’ customers will never engage, but it is cruel to pursue the greater number of ‘can’t pay’ borrowers 15 years after the crash  https://www.businesspost.ie/analysis-opinion/its-time-to-stop-the-extend-and-pretend-and-for-banks-to-write-off-unpayable-debt/

 

• Dilosk seeks to raise €540m to reboot owner-occupier lending. Non-bank lender marketing bonds backed by portfolio of existing ICS Mortgages loans to source capital for new lending  https://www.irishtimes.com/business/financial-services/2023/04/06/dilosk-seeks-to-raise-540m-to-reboot-owner-occupier-lending/

 

• Rental market forecast to shrink by further 15,000 units this year, Sherry FitzGerald warns: Traditional buy-to-let investors are continuing to exit the rental market at a rate of two to one  https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/04/03/rental-market-forecast-to-shrink-by-further-15000-units-this-year-sherry-fitzgerald-warns/

 

• Rental crisis: 4,329 notices to quit served in final quarter of 2022: RTB figures outline some 2,513 termination notices issued to tenants because landlord intends to sell property, representing 58 per cent of total  https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/housing-planning/2023/04/03/rental-crisis-over-4300-notices-to-quit-served-in-final-quarter-of-2022/

 

• Questions raised over ‘lack of resources and detail’ for Govt’s tenant-in-situ scheme: The government has set a target of 1,500 properties to be acquired under the tenant-in situ-scheme.  https://www.thejournal.ie/tenant-in-situ-scheme-6036557-Apr2023/

 

• Dublin City Council investigates 1,600 suspected illegal short-term lets: Fewer than 40 city property owners apply for holiday letting permission since 2019 legislation introduced  https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/housing-planning/2023/04/07/dublin-city-council-investigates-1600-suspected-illegal-short-term-lets – Kerry has taken a somewhat different approach… Council urged to tell short-term let operators they can disregard warning letters as regulations delayed  https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/council-urged-to-tell-short-term-let-operators-they-can-disregard-warning-letters-as-regulations-delayed-325615

 

• Cork City Council only bought three tenant-in-situ homes: Measure to alleviate the lifting of the eviction ban has only been used three times by the country’s largest local authority https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41108608.html

 

• Cork City Council Seeking To Increase Awareness Around Rightsizing Opportunities For Council Tenants And Private Homeowners  https://corksafetyalerts.com/news/cork-city-council-seeking-to-increase-awareness-around-rightsizing-opportunities-for-council-tenants-and-private-homeowners/

 

• Residents’ association seek RTB unit to identify unregistered, privately rented properties: A spokesperson for the RTB told The Echo the board would “consider the points raised” by the association and revert in due course.  https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41110486.html

 

• Wicklow council refuses permission to convert Sinéad O’Connor’s former home into apartments- Scheme deemed to be out of character with streetscape  https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/04/06/wicklow-council-refuses-permission-to-convert-sinead-oconnors-former-home-into-apartments/

 

• Tipperary council to submit to minister another list of proposals to tackle housing crisis: Council housing chief says there is currently sufficient emergency accommodation for people presenting as homeless  https://www.tipperarylive.ie/news/home/1078562/tipperary-council-to-submit-to-minister-another-shopping-list-of-proposals-to-tackle-housing-crisis.html

 

• Housing for All: Available Supports for Buyers & Renters – ensuring those who want to own their own home can do so and those who wish to rent can do so at an affordable rate https://ipropertyradio.com/housing-for-all-available-supports-for-buyers-renters/?fbclid=IwAR10Cte35Ick4se5WkA3X2Oul4FvJPwa7tuPXcjFTSOThM7y1asAY4I7Rnw

 

• Buyers pay €5m and €3.95m each for Merrion Road homes of nightclub owner and property investor – Around the Block: Victorian pile of Strings nightclub owner sells in a month while detached home on same stretch attracts returning ex-Pat  https://www.irishtimes.com/property/residential/2023/04/06/wealthy-buyers-vie-for-d4-homes-of-nightclub-owner-and-property-investor/

 

• Got €20k per moth? Inside Ireland’s most expensive rental property  https://extra.ie/2023/04/05/property/rental-property-most-expensive

 

• €9.75m mansion formerly owned by Payzone founder comes to market with infinity pool and putting green: Super home that once belonged to the former Payzone chief has been relaunched to market after sale fell through last year  https://www.businesspost.ie/property/killiney-mansion-formerly-owned-by-payzone-founder-comes-to-market-with-infinity-pool-and-putting-gr/

 

• Former Wicklow Methodist Church for sale at €150,000 https://m.independent.ie/regionals/wicklow/lifestyle/former-wicklow-methodist-church-for-sale-at-150000-42415526.html

 

• Galway property prices ‘bucking national trend’ by staying flat, reveals report  https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/134871/galway-property-prices-bucking-national-trend-by-staying-flat-reveals-report

 

• Investor bidders compete for pyrite-affected apartments in Mayo where hammer drops at €1.22m  https://m.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/investor-bidders-compete-for-pyrite-affected-apartments-in-mayo-where-hammer-drops-at-122m-42420916.html

 

• Exemption used to redevelop Sam Stephenson’s Leixlip manor  https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/exemption-used-redevelop-sam-stephenson-leixlip-manor-ndxwqr3t9

 

• Cavan property prices flat in first quarter  https://www.anglocelt.ie/2023/04/04/cavan-property-prices-flat-in-first-quarter/

 

• Donegal house prices jump by 10% in one year  https://www.donegaldaily.com/2023/04/03/donegal-house-prices-jump-by-10-in-one-year/amp/

 

• Revenue gets tough on property tax evaders as 150,000 people get warning letters: Tens of thousands who have not paid being contacted by officials  https://m.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/property-mortgages/revenue-gets-tough-on-property-tax-evaders-as-150000-people-get-warning-letters-42421884.html

 

• RTÉ Home of the Year: Inside the forest house that won top prize: ‘Never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined ourselves near this position before we embarked on our build six years ago’  https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/homeandgardens/arid-41109472.html

 

• More than half of properties sold in Kerry in 2021 were to buyers without a mortgage  https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/more-than-half-of-properties-sold-in-kerry-in-2021-were-to-buyers-without-a-mortgage-325493

 

• 115 Help to Buy scheme claims approved in Kerry last year  https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/115-help-to-buy-scheme-claims-approved-in-kerry-last-year-325402

 

• On the market: your weekly guide to homes for sale around the country: Properties on the market this week include a modern semi-detached house in Ballycullen and an extended terraced house in Inchicore  https://www.businesspost.ie/property/on-the-market-your-weekly-guide-to-homes-for-sale-around-the-country-29/

 

• Property influencer says it shouldn’t be down to him to police housing  https://extra.ie/2023/04/06/news/property-influencer-ciaran-mulqueen

 

• One price, home and away: A converted hangar in the North Pole, apartments in Montreux and Mogan, a Perigord manor in Sarlat or an extended cottage in Dungarvan  https://www.irishtimes.com/property/residential/2023/04/07/what-will-415000-buy-in-ireland-alaska-france-spain-and-switzerland/

 

• Maureen O’Hara’s former West Cork home sells for €2.8m: Scene-stealing Lugdine sold in 2015 for €1.6m and appears to have changed little in the interim ownership https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/residential/arid-41111962.html

 

• ‘Old houses like that are a money pit’: Diary of a first-time homeowner’s renovation project – Home Truths: When the structural reports come in on the doer-upper, I am left thinking should I go back to searching the property apps  https://www.irishtimes.com/property/interiors/2023/04/08/old-houses-like-that-are-a-money-pit-diary-of-a-first-time-homeowners-renovation-project/#sel 

 

 

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY NEWS

• Residential property deals bolster a weak quarter for Irish office sales: Commercial property sales fell by 18pc to €623m in the first three months of this year  https://m.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/residential-property-deals-bolster-a-weak-quarter-for-irish-office-sales-42422667.html

 

• Doom turns to boom as tech sector accounts for over half of office take-up: In the first quarter of the year, the tech sector accounted for as much as 56 per cent of office take-up while financial services made up 22 per cent, agent Knight Frank estimates  https://www.businesspost.ie/property/doom-turns-to-boom-as-tech-sector-accounts-for-over-half-of-office-take-up/

 

• Green Leases: encouraging transformation of sustainable practices  https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=eca87d38-3266-4c88-8d1d-984fe5ba0053

 

• Office leasing market is likely to pick-up, on the back of demand from the State, as deadlines for complying with its ESG agenda and carbon emissions reductions move closer. Savills Ireland: 266,000 sq.f across 38 deals took place in Q1 https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2023/0403/1367938-savills-dublin-office-market/

 

• Big brand openings bring Henry Street back from the brink: Sports Direct’s acquisition of former Debenhams’ building tops dramatic recovery for retail in Dublin 1  https://www.irishtimes.com/property/commercial-property/2023/04/05/analysis-big-brand-openings-bring-henry-street-back-from-the-brink/

 

• Hammerson sells stake in French shopping centre: Dundrum Town Centre co-owner said proceeds will further strengthen the balance sheet and reduce net debt  https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/04/03/hammerson-sells-stake-in-french-shopping-centre/

 

• Prime commercial and residential investment on Dame Street for €7.5m: Number 1 Parliament Street comprises licensed premises at ground and basement levels and 10 upgraded apartments overhead  https://www.irishtimes.com/property/commercial-property/2023/04/05/prime-commercial-and-residential-investment-on-dame-street-for-75m/

 

• Horseware Ireland selects Dublin Airport Central for global headquarters: Equine brand leader signs long-term lease for 10,000sq ft of office accommodation at Block Two  https://www.irishtimes.com/property/commercial-property/2023/04/05/horseware-ireland-selects-dublin-airport-central-for-global-headquarters/

 

• Cineworld stops sale of Irish, UK and US operations amid debt restructuring https://m.independent.ie/business/irish/cineworld-stops-sale-of-irish-uk-and-us-operations-amid-debt-restructuring-42415639.html

 

• Three well-known Galway city hospitality properties now on market  https://connachttribune.ie/three-well-known-city-hospitality-properties-now-on-market/amp/

 

• Former Limerick church to get new lease of life – The Red Church, a historic listed building in Limerick City, is to get a new lease of life when it reopens as a serviced office space.  https://www.limerickpost.ie/2023/04/04/former-limerick-church-to-get-new-lease-of-life/

 

• Leading Irish hospitality group in €7m deal for well-known Kildare Hotel: Springfield Hotel in Leixlip has been owned and operated by the Hannigan family since 1973  https://www.irishtimes.com/property/commercial-property/2023/04/05/leading-irish-hospitality-group-in-7m-deal-for-well-known-kildare-hotel/

 

• Animal feed giant Devenish offloading trophy farm as part of £40m restructuring; Pioneering Dowth property aimed to become world’s first scientifically measured carbon-neutral farm  https://www.businesspost.ie/news/animal-feed-giant-devenish-offloading-trophy-farm-as-part-of-40m-restructuring/

 

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY NEWS

 

• UK Government tells landlords to consider reducing rent if tenants ask  https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2023/4/government-tells-landlords-to-consider-reducing-rent-if-tenants-ask

 

• Renting: Six out of 10 renters live in energy-inefficient homes  https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-65136313

 

• Five UK house builders now facing ban over building safety contracts  https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2023/04/05/five-house-builders-now-facing-ban-over-building-safety-contracts/

 

• Luxury boltholes with private pools high in the Algarve hills: Quinta Dourada is a new development of hi-spec holiday apartments, townhouses and villas above the Portuguese holiday resort of Albufeira  https://www.businesspost.ie/property/luxury-boltholes-with-private-pools-high-in-the-algarve-hills/

 

• Morgan Stanley analysts are forecasting something ‘worse than in the Great Financial Crisis’ for commercial real estate https://fortune.com/2023/04/04/how-bad-commercial-real-estate-banking-crisis-svb-morgan-stanley-outlook/

 

• Roku Spending Up to $35M Cutting Office Leases and cutting 200 More Jobs  https://commercialobserver.com/2023/04/roku-to-spend-up-to-35m-cutting-office-leases-200-more-jobs/

 

• World’s tallest timber tower replaced by forest growth “in less than 25 minutes”  https://www.dezeen.com/2023/04/03/ascent-korb-associates-milwaukee-timber-revolution/

 

• The 20 Best New Design Hotels Opening Around World in 2023: From Mexico to Morocco, these are the best-designed new hotels we can’t wait to check into  https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/best-new-design-hotels-opening-around-world-2023

 

FACEBOOK GROUP FOR IRISH PROPERTY BUYERS & INVESTORS

Crowd-sourcing answers topical property questions:

As many of you might know, my annual property book The Irish Property Buyers’ Handbook (since 2011) was rebranded in 2018 and now appears as part of The Property Insider series, published by Oak Tree Press, the first three titles are now published and available here: https://www.amazon.com/Carol-Tallon/

From 2020, the publishers and I wanted to ensure the content remains topical and we are now doing this by crowd-sourcing home buyer and investor queries, with crowd-sourced and editorial team answers.

Join the Facebook Group here to contribute: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IrishPropertyBuyers/