House purchase fees and a State authority
Browne questioned the level and allocation of solicitors’ and estate agents’ fees and proposed a State authority to handle their functions. Collins said auctioneers’ fees are now paid by sellers, described overall fees as substantial, and said he would check the availability of the Prices Advisory Board report.
asked the Minister for Justice whether he is satisfied with the present method whereby solicitors' and estate agents' fees are charged to house purchasers, and with the level of fees so charged.
5.
Comment on this
asked the Minister for Justice whether he will consider the establishment of a State authority to undertake the functions at present performed by solicitors and estate agents in relation to the purchase and sale of houses.
Comment on this
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together. The Deputy appears to be under a misapprehension about the fees of estate agents or auctioneers. The practice that was traditional up to a few years ago whereby auctioneers' fees for public auctions were charged to the purchaser was prohibited by the Auctioneers and House Agents Act, 1973, and the fees must now be paid by the seller, who of course can advertise and sell his house himself if he so wishes without the assistance of an auctioneer. That point apart, having regard to recent inquiries into the remuneration of both solicitors and house agents which have been conducted by the National Prices Commission, I think it is fair to say that both the method of charging fees and the level of these charges are being kept under expert review and, at this stage at all events, I have no proposals for the setting up of a State authority to take over work in this area.
Comment on this
Would the Minister say if as a result of this inquiry it is possible, if one takes the buyer's and the seller's solicitors, possibly the building society's solicitor—that would be three solicitors—and auctioneers' fees that a person buying say a house for £15,000 could have about £1,500 added to that?
Comment on this
I cannot honestly tell the Deputy what the total in fees would be from the different bodies mentioned, but from my ordinary knowledge of what happens in this area I believe the fees are substantial.