Republic of Ireland

Rent review and lease renewal surveyor — Dublin

Ireland's rent review law changed fundamentally in 2009: upward-only review clauses in leases created after 28 February 2010 are unenforceable. That single point separates the market into two populations of lease, and which one yours falls into decides whether a review can reduce your rent.

Written by Chris McGarrigle MRICS · Tenant side only

The law that applies here

Renewal rights in the Republic derive from the Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act 1980 and later amendments: a business equity arises after five years of continuous occupation, though it is commonly renounced in writing at the outset. Section 132 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 makes upward-only rent review clauses unenforceable in leases created on or after 28 February 2010, so reviews under newer leases can be downward as well as upward.

Local market context

Grafton Street and Henry Street hold the prime Dublin retail rents, with a steep fall into the adjoining streets and a wide gap to suburban centres.

Dublin hospitality and licensed premises trade strongly but carry high occupancy costs, and turnover-linked structures are increasingly common.

Pre-2010 leases with upward-only clauses remain in circulation and behave very differently at review from post-2010 leases, which can be reviewed downwards.

Pitches and markets covered

  • Grafton Street, Henry Street and the Dublin city-centre core
  • Dundrum, Blanchardstown and the major suburban schemes
  • Temple Bar and city-centre licensed premises
  • Regional cities — Cork, Galway, Limerick

Common questions

Relevant guides

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