Ireland
Last Updated:
Jun 09, 2010
The end to Ireland’s housing market crash remains nowhere in sight. In Q1 2010, the house price index fell 18.9% y-o-y. It was the highest annual price fall since the housing bubble burst in 2007, according to data from ESRI/ Permanent TSB.
A recent study by the OECD point to more house price falls. It said that prices would have to fall by 57% to bring it back in line with average household income. As of Q1 2010, prices have already fallen by 35% to 50% from peak. The OECD also reported that there was an excess of 136,000 excess homes for sale.
Before the crash, Ireland’s house price boom was one of the longest and biggest in Europe. The housing market benefited greatly from strong economic growth, immigration, loose mortgage conditions and generous tax incentives and grants from the government. All these elements are now gone.
Hurting the housing market further is the government’s zeal to cut the budget deficit, at 14.3% of GDP in 2009. Ireland’s was the highest in the EU, including that of Greece. The government aims to cut the deficit to 3% of GDP by 2013 and plans to impose additional taxes on real estate and water usage.
The government has already slashed public sector expenditure by 7.5% of GDP, with government wages reduced by 15%, child benefit by 10% and unemployment benefit by 4%. In 2008, the sales tax was raised and an income levy was introduced.
The country’s two biggest banks, on the other hand, were rescued in 2009 at a price of €7 billion. Another €80 billion was needed to establish a “bad bank” to buy toxic real estate loans at a discount. The government is now optimistic that these efforts will reawaken the Celtic Tiger.
GDP growth is expected to resume in 2011 with a 3% expansion. As for the housing market, it has to wait for two or more years before house prices start inching upward.
A recent study by the OECD point to more house price falls. It said that prices would have to fall by 57% to bring it back in line with average household income. As of Q1 2010, prices have already fallen by 35% to 50% from peak. The OECD also reported that there was an excess of 136,000 excess homes for sale.
Before the crash, Ireland’s house price boom was one of the longest and biggest in Europe. The housing market benefited greatly from strong economic growth, immigration, loose mortgage conditions and generous tax incentives and grants from the government. All these elements are now gone.
Hurting the housing market further is the government’s zeal to cut the budget deficit, at 14.3% of GDP in 2009. Ireland’s was the highest in the EU, including that of Greece. The government aims to cut the deficit to 3% of GDP by 2013 and plans to impose additional taxes on real estate and water usage.
The government has already slashed public sector expenditure by 7.5% of GDP, with government wages reduced by 15%, child benefit by 10% and unemployment benefit by 4%. In 2008, the sales tax was raised and an income levy was introduced.
The country’s two biggest banks, on the other hand, were rescued in 2009 at a price of €7 billion. Another €80 billion was needed to establish a “bad bank” to buy toxic real estate loans at a discount. The government is now optimistic that these efforts will reawaken the Celtic Tiger. GDP growth is expected to resume in 2011 with a 3% expansion. As for the housing market, it has to wait for two or more years before house prices start inching upward.
Analysis of Ireland Residential Property Market »
RENTAL YIELDS
Last Updated: Jun 24, 2009
There is not enough information to produce yields figures in Dublin. Prices of apartments average to €365,200 while houses range from €453,600 (75 sq. m.) to €1,074,900 (150 sq. m.) for an average of €764,250TAXES AND COSTS
Last Updated: Nov 04, 2008
Effective Tax Rate on Rental Income |
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| Monthly Income | €1,500 | €6,000 | €12,000 |
| Tax Rate | 10.1% | 11.5% | 13.9% |
| Click here to see a worked example | |||
Source: |
Disclaimer | ||
Rental Income: Gross rental income is taxed at 20%, withheld by the tenant. The taxpayer may file a return and claim relief for expenses related to his property.
Capital Gains: Capital gains are taxed at 20%. Acquisition costs, incidental expenses, and improvement costs are deductible from the gross selling price.
Inheritance: Inheritance tax is imposed at a flat rate of 20%, with certain non-taxable amounts deductible before the tax is levied.
Residents: Residents are taxed on their worldwide income. Numerous tax credits and deductions are available to residents; of which the actual values depend on the taxpayer’s personal circumstances.
Capital Gains: Capital gains are taxed at 20%. Acquisition costs, incidental expenses, and improvement costs are deductible from the gross selling price.
Inheritance: Inheritance tax is imposed at a flat rate of 20%, with certain non-taxable amounts deductible before the tax is levied.
Residents: Residents are taxed on their worldwide income. Numerous tax credits and deductions are available to residents; of which the actual values depend on the taxpayer’s personal circumstances.
BUYING GUIDE
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2007
Round-trip transaction costs are around 6.8% of the property price. This can go up to 13.6% because stamp duty is computed at a progressive rate based on the purchase price of the property. Properties that cost more than ?630,000 have the highest stamp duty, at 9%.
LANDLORD AND TENANT
Last Updated: Jun 06, 2006
Ireland has strong tenant protection laws.
Rents. The parties are free to negotiate rents, but the amount must not exceed the open market rate. The rent may be reviewed and can only be adjusted once a year. Rent disputes go to the Private Residential Tenancy Board (PRTB).
Tenure Security. Security of tenure is effective for four years; during the first six months, the landlord can terminate the leasing contract without specifying grounds but once a tenancy has lasted six months, the landlord can only terminate the tenancy for the next 3 1/2 years citing just causes.
Rents. The parties are free to negotiate rents, but the amount must not exceed the open market rate. The rent may be reviewed and can only be adjusted once a year. Rent disputes go to the Private Residential Tenancy Board (PRTB).Tenure Security. Security of tenure is effective for four years; during the first six months, the landlord can terminate the leasing contract without specifying grounds but once a tenancy has lasted six months, the landlord can only terminate the tenancy for the next 3 1/2 years citing just causes.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
Last Updated: Jun 09, 2010
Economic growth has weakened
Ireland is currently suffering one of the worst recessions experienced by an industrialized country since World War II. Having enjoyed one of the highest growth rates in the Eurozone from 1995 to 2007, the economy contracted by 3% in 2008. GDP is expected to fall by as much as 9% in 2009 and 2.5% in 2010, among the worst in the EU outside of Eastern Europe. After contracting by 15.5% in 2008, gross fixed capital formation is expected to fall by 32% in 2009 mainly due to the 36% fall in building and construction activities.
Despite Ireland’s economic meltdown, the government had adopted a conservative approach, focusing on balancing the budget, even opting out of the EU’s €200 billion economic stimulus package.
One reason for the government’s caution is the dramatic decline in tax revenues brought about by the economic turmoil, largely due to decline in the collection of property-related taxes. From a budget surplus of 3% in 2006, the fiscal situation worsened in 2007 to a surplus of only 0.05% of GDP. In 2008, the budget balance turned to a whopping 7.3% of GDP deficit. A forecast deficit of more than 12% of GDP is expected in 2009 and 2010, way beyond the EU’s 3% budget deficit limit.
To balance the budget, the 2009 budget hiked income taxes (from minimum-wage earners to the wealthiest individuals), cigarette and diesel fuel taxes, to raise €3.5 billion in revenues.
The government also halved unemployment benefits and early child-care payments. The traditional bonus payment for social welfare recipients was also scrapped.
Spending is likely to be cut further in 2010, and taxes increased. The 2010 Budget includes a €5 billion fiscal adjustment:
• €4 billion reduction in current expenditure; which includes
o €1.4 billion cut in public sector pay;
o €1.3 billion cut in social welfare costs; and
o €1.3 billion cut in delivery of services
• €0.5 billion in tax base broadening; and
• €0.5 billion in capital expenditure savings.
