Property Clinic

We’re planning to make our living space open-plan. Where do we start?

What advice would you give homeowners who are working on renovating a home for the first time?

Our adult children need somewhere to live. Should we build a room for them in our garden?

Property Clinic: I’m wondering about the pros and cons of a new build versus extending our home

There’s spray foam insulation in the attic of the house we want to buy. Should we be concerned?

Property Clinic: While our surveyor said the presence of spray foam isn’t a ‘deal breaker’, there are issues with it

We would like to buy an older house and do it up. How can we avoid costly mistakes?

Property Clinic: Does a building survey include a check for asbestos which is expensive to deal with?

What should we look for when choosing an estate agent to sell our home?

Property Clinic: Other than fees, what other things do we need to consider before making our decision?

If I replace faulty windows, will the management company be responsible for their maintenance?

Property Clinic: If my neighbour doesn’t change her windows, will my management fee be used to paint and fix the ones she has?

We are selling our home – do we need to switch our security cameras off when people are viewing?

Estate agent has said potential buyers may need to be informed their presence is being recorded

I suspect my duplex management fees have been used to maintain the apartments in my complex

Property Clinic: The management company accounts now say there isn’t enough money to fix things in the duplexes

The developer of our housing scheme won’t hand over the common areas. What can we do?

Potential purchasers of our homes are now being advised by banks and solicitors not to buy

There’s a telegraph pole in my garden and I don’t know what it’s for, or who owns it. How can I find out?

Property Clinic: A cable runs into my house but isn’t connected to anything - what I can do about it?

Our en suite has no window and a poor ceiling fan. How can we prevent mould?

Property Clinic: Fan isn’t very effective judging by the level of condensation

What can I do about the lamp-post obstructing my driveway?

Who is responsible and how can I go about getting it moved?

Will my mother be liable for capital gains tax if we sell her house on her behalf?

Would it have an impact on her Fair Deal payments for her nursing home?

I’m worried the roots of my neighbour’s roses will damage my wall. What can I do?

What are my rights when it comes to planting right beside my home’s side wall?

Should we buy a home with a better Ber, or look for something cheaper and retrofit?

Property Clinic: We’ve looked at houses with a range of energy ratings but aren’t sure what is the best value

I have noticed blistering on my interior walls. What should I do?

I have a flat roof that is adjoined to my neighbour’s house via the hall

We’re worried there may be asbestos in my father-in-law’s shed roof. What should we do?

Property Clinic: Asbestos fibres are highly hazardous to human health and can cause serious illnesses

One of the residents in our apartment block is spying on everyone. What can we do?

Property Clinic: He uses the communal space to monitor movements and records conversations

What can I do about my neighbour’s blinding security light?

The light is on a timer of about five-minute intervals, making it even more unbearable

I’m having issues with management at holiday village where I’ve bought a home. What can I do?

I have raised concerns about Airbnb rental activities and my property’s boundary

My apartment’s management continues to delay fixing our window. What can we do?

While I was initially told a contractor would be consulted, no meaningful action has been taken

How do you get rid of mould in the attic and prevent it coming back?

My son’s friend insulated his attic but it seems it wasn’t properly ventilated

How should we go about buying a home in Ireland from abroad?

I’m American and we are looking to move to be closer to my wife’s family

How can we prevent damp in our home?

When it gets cold outside, we start having damp marks appear on the walls of the office

My neighbour has been dumping their rubbish in my back garden and trespassing. What can I do?

Property Clinic: I’ve approached them about their behaviour but they don’t seem to care

Can a telecoms provider install cables in my garden – even though I’m not their customer?

It seems odd to allow the retention of unsightly cables on my house

How should we go about installing a loo under the stairs?

'We are starting to think about toilet training our two-year-old and have realised we could really use a small loo on the ground floor. We wondered if it is possible to install a WC under the stairs'

What’s the best structure to manage the common area of our small development?

Is there a management structure that might suit us without the requirement to make annual returns to the Companies Registration Office?

I’m worried about our home being devalued because our neighbour’s trees block light. What can we do?

Our solar panels make no electricity early in the day because the sunlight is blocked

Some of my neighbour’s planning application appears to be factually incorrect. How can I raise this?

Some of the submission appears to be factually incorrect but we are unsure how to raise these issues

My son lives abroad and wants to sell his house here but the tenant won’t move out. What can he do?

Property is not generating same rent as other homes in the area because owner has not imposed an increase in years

Our apartment block’s managing agent charged above the subcontractor’s price for repairs. Is this normal?

The uplift was not disclosed to the owners’ management company

What can I do if a management company and landlord refuse to accept liability for ceiling damage?

Should I hire an independent plumber to complete a report or seek legal advice?

My US cousins sealed their house deal with a ‘post-occupancy agreement’, can I do this in Ireland?

My US cousins offered the seller of their house 60 days post-sale occupancy for free

Our daughter’s family lives with us. Will she have to pay tax upon inheritance?

We are wondering what we should consider as we look towards planning our will

Which windows are best to block out noise and retain heat?

I have been advised the double glazing I have is best. Is that true?

Extension or attic conversion: What’s the best way to add space to our home?

We’ve heard horror stories about the timing and cost of extensions

How to add a built-in bench for extra storage and seating in your home

It’s a clever design idea that can change how a space looks and functions

My apartment building is being targeted by a gang of unruly youths. What can I do?

Property Clinic: I find the behaviour frustrating and also a bit intimidating as a widow living by myself

‘A developer is planning to build a huge apartment block beside my home. What can I do?’

Property Clinic: ‘The planned development could have a life-changing impact on my home’

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