107. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to ensure transparency in the home-buying process; if he will deal with artificial bidding wars, gazumping and ghost bids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47822/26]

184. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration has been given to making the advertised sale price of houses, the actual maximum price as in France, rather than in most parts of Dublin the sale price being 15-20% above the advertised price of second-hand homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47279/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 184 together.

Last year, I took over responsibility for the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) from the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, which regulates property service providers, including estate agents.

The PSRA licenses and regulates auctioneers and estate agents, ensuring adherence to home bidding process rules that must be followed by licensed firms, including requirements for proof of funds, bid recording, and transparent handling of offers.

Key statutory obligations under the Property Services (Regulation) Act, 2011 provide that estate agents:

• shall not imply to any person that an offer has been received, unless it has in fact been received;

• must retain, for a period of 6 years, a record of all bids received; and

• must confirm in writing to all potential Purchasers, receipt of their submitted bid.

Furthermore, where the PSRA receives a complaint alleging ‘fake bids’, it has powers to request a copy of all bids received, the ‘Record of Bids’ document and has investigative powers to verify that bids were genuine.