Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In May 2021, guidelines were issued to planning authorities advising that conditions should be imposed on planning permissions to prevent multiple housing and duplex units being sold to a single buyer. Under this measure, all houses and duplexes would have to be made available to sale and for first occupation by separate, individual households for a period after completion of the unit.

A distinction is made in the case of mixed developments including apartments, in that the provision only applies to the houses and duplex units.

If after a period of two years the local authority is satisfied that despite reasonable efforts, a market has not emerged, the condition will lapse.

Between when the guidelines were introduced in May 2021 and the end of May 2023, a combined total of 31,004 residential units had received planning permission with conditions restricting the bulk buying or multiple sales to a single purchaser (see table below for breakdown by decision making authority).

The guidelines are part of a range of measures designed to boost home ownership, which includes a 10% stamp duty levy on the cumulative purchase of 10 or more residential houses in a 12-month period, and an owner-occupier guarantee in housing strategies for each local authority.

Breakdown per LA/ABP of units with condition attached,as of 26 May 2023: