As we near the end of 2023, which is set to be the hottest year on record, it is clear that we need to continue to take sustainability very seriously when it comes to the built environment and keep it to the forefront of all corporate agendas in 2024.
We know that the Paris Agreement has called for global carbon emissions to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach "net zero" by 2050. In this journey to "net zero", a key statistic that we need to remind ourselves of is that the Real Estate sector accounts for approximately 40% of total global carbon emissions. Therefore, all real estate stakeholders will undoubtedly come under increased pressure to significantly reduce emissions resulting from the development, ownership and management of assets.
SIGNIFICANT COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE THEMES
ACTS AWAITING COMMENCEMENT
Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023
Date signed into law: 13 October 2023.
This bill will repeal the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 and replace those acts with provisions for the protection of historic and archaeological heritage, in addition to including provisions for the regulation of certain activities in the interests of such protection. It also includes provisions enabling the state to ratify or accede to certain international conventions which relate to such protection or regulation.
It will also give effect to the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU) and to the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora as amended by Council Directive 97/62/EC, Regulation1882/2003, Council Directive 2006/105/EC, and Council Directive 2013/17/EU) in relation to the carrying out of works at, on, in, under, to, or within the immediate surroundings of monuments. It will also give further effect to the Valletta Convention (the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Revised)) of 16 January 1992; to consequentially repeal or amend certain other enactments; and to provide for related matters.
Latest stage: A small number of provisions were commenced on enactment. The majority of the act is awaiting commencement.
Tailte Éireann Act 2022
Date signed into law: 21 December 2022
This act provides for the establishment of Tailte Éireann, a single body incorporating Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Valuation Office and the Property Registration Authority.
Latest stage: The majority of this Act has been commenced by SI 58/2023, SI 77/2023 and SI 117/2023. Section 5 and section 36(5) await commencement.
Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023
Date published: 24 March 2023
To provide for the establishment of a statutory licensing system for construction and related activities, including, amongst other aims, the introduction (on a primary legislative basis) of safety awareness requirements for workers in the construction sector, the establishment of a licensing model for workers based on an assessment of competence, to replace the accredited training model and the introduction of skills-based assessment merging the assessment and licensing processes for construction and quarrying activities.
Latest stage: Completed Dáil Éireann, Second Stage.
Affordable Housing Act 2021
Date signed into law: 21 July 2021
This act will give effect to the government’s affordable housing policy. The act provides for the establishment of a new affordable shared equity scheme and will define ‘Cost Rental’ as a new form of tenure and place it on a statutory footing.
Commencement: Certain provisions are still awaiting commencement. The Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 has amended a number of provisions.
Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022
Date signed into law: 5 July 2022
This act provides for the establishment of a register to be known as the Construction Industry Register Ireland (Clár Tionscail Foirgníochta na hÉireann )(“CIRI”) which will regulate providers of building works. The legislation provides for the establishment of a registration body which will determine the standards and competencies required of building work providers, as well as investigating and adjudicating any complaints. The registration body under the legislation will be appointed as the competent authority for the purposes of the European Union (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2017.
Latest stage: The majority of the act has been commenced but a number of provisions are awaiting commencement.
Planning and Development, Maritime and Valuation (Amendment) Act 2022
Date signed into law: 24 July 2022
This legislation amends Part XA of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (the "Principal Act") for the purpose of streamlining substitute consent procedures under the Principal Act. Other amendments to the Principal Act include provisions in relation to the advertisement of short term letting of properties in rent pressure zones; a new requirement that consultations must be undertaken before making applications in relation to certain land and maritime area developments, with respect to details not confirmed at the time of the application; and amendments to s. 34(12) of the Principal Act, allowing planning authorities to refuse to consider an application for retention of an unauthorised development where it decides that an environmental impact assessment or appropriate assessment was required, and amendments to s. 37L of the Principal Act, relating to quarry substitute consent applications, to extend the section to other types of developments.
The legislation also makes a number of changes to the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (See Environmental Planning section).
Latest stage: A number of sections have been commenced.
Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022
Date signed into law: 23 July 2022
The primary purpose of this act is to provide for the payment of grants for the remediation of dwellings damaged by defective concrete blocks. The legislation will also designate local authorities those areas where affected dwellings are located, as well as providing for the amount of grants for remediation, alternative accommodation, and for storage and immediate repairs that may be paid. Under the legislation the amounts paid may be varied by government order.
Further, the act sets out the procedures for applying to a designated local authority for a grant, as well as other related matters including: time limits and conditions attached to grants; conditions for second grants; refund of compensation received by owners of affected dwellings from third parties; recovery of grants; to provide for charging orders for certain grants; and to provide for an Appeals Panel and Appeal Board and related procedures. The act revokes the Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020.
Commencement: Commenced by SI 321/2023 with the exception of section 45(2)(d).
Planning and Development (Large Scale Residential Developments) Act 2021
Date signed into law: 14 December 2021
This act amends and extends the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2021 with respect to planning permission applications for certain large-scale residential developments, replacing the Strategic Housing Development arrangements which expired on 25 February 2022.
Commencement: Whole act other than s. 17(6) has been commenced.
Local Government Rates and other Matters Act 2019
Date signed into law: 11 July 2019
This act modernises the law governing commercial rates and enhances the rates collection powers of local authorities. It provides for interest to be applied where rates are unpaid and for the application of minimum charges for vacant commercial premises. Mechanisms are brought in allowing local authorities to introduce targeted rates alleviation schemes.
Commencement: Certain technical elements of the legislation were commenced in 2019 and 2022, but the substantive elements of the act are yet to be commenced. The Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 has amended a number of provisions.
IRISH PROPOSED LEGISLATION
Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill 2023
This bill will allow tenants in rental properties a first right of refusal to purchase a property when it is put forward for sale.
Latest stage: Heads of bill are in preparation. Listed for priority publication in the Autumn Legislative Programme.
Land Value Sharing and Urban Development Zones Bill 2021
This bill will amend the Planning and Development Act 2000 to introduce new provisions to deal with land value sharing and urban development zones reflected in the Government Housing for All Plan.
Latest stage: Pre-legislative scrutiny has taken place and the committee published its report on 26 September 2023. Listed for priority publication in the Autumn Legislative Programme.
Registration of Short-term Tourist Letting Bill 2022
The purpose of this bill is to amend the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939 – 2016 to make provision for the registration of short-term tourist lettings which arise in circumstances where the quantity and type of accommodation offerings for tourists that are advertised as available in Ireland greatly outnumber those businesses that are registered and known to Fáilte Ireland. Second, when enacted, the Bill will require any party offering accommodation on a short-term basis to tourists to be registered on a register and to hold a valid registration number issued by Fáilte Ireland; and third, the bill creates a system of sanctions so that where the accommodation does not appear on a register and no valid registration number is held, the proprietor and any person who promotes the premises will face prosecution where they provide, advertise, or otherwise offer such unregistered accommodation to tourists for periods of up to 21 nights.
Latest stage: The General Scheme of the bill was published on 8 December 2022. A Joint Committee met on 1 March 2023 and discussed the bill with industry representatives. On 22 March, the EU Commission extended the standstill period for the proposed bill until 22 December 2023. Work is ongoing.
Property Services Regulation (Amendment) Bill
This bill will revise the Property Services Regulation Act 2011 in light of the Services Directive 2006/123/EC, the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC, European Court of Justice case law related to this area, and to the supply of services more generally in the EU.
Latest stage: Heads of bill are in preparation.
Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
This bill will amend the existing provisions in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 in respect of social housing assessments, including section 20 of that act on social housing assessments and section 31 of the same act on rent schemes, in addition to amendments to provisions from the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 on tenant purchase.
Latest stage: Heads of bill are in preparation. Listed for priority drafting in the Autumn Legislative Programme.
Fire Services Emergency Management Bill
This bill will consolidate and update the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003. It will also underpin current established emergency management practice at national and local level. Also included are provisions to enhance the legislation governing safety at funfairs and the licensing of indoor events.
Latest stage: Heads of bill are in preparation.
BILLS
Planning and Development Bill 2023
Previously titled the Planning and Development Bill 2022, this bill will review and replace the Planning and Development Act 2000 with a consolidated bill improving the clarity and structure of the current code. Core provisions of the draft bill include strengthening the legal status of ministerial guidelines, an extension of Local Government Development Plans, mandatory timelines for consent processes and the restructuring of An Bord Pleanála which will be renamed An Coimisiún Pleanála. Also included are provisions which will change the timing requirements and rights of standing requirements for judicial review of matters arising under the act, the latter having attracted negative criticism from interested groups. The legislation aims to modernise and streamline planning processes to enable the delivery of essential infrastructure such as housing and renewable energy resources while ensuring a greater integration of environmental considerations into the planning process.
Latest stage: On 22 November 2023, the bill was published. The bill is currently at the First Stage in Dáil Éireann.
Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023
Date published: 24 March 2023
To provide for the establishment of a statutory licensing system for construction and related activities. including, amongst other aims, the introduction (on a primary legislative basis) of safety awareness requirements for workers in the construction sector; the establishment of a licensing model for workers based on an assessment of competence, to replace the accredited training model and the introduction of skills-based assessment merging the assessment and licensing processes for construction and quarrying activities.
Latest stage: Currently in Dáil Éireann, Fourth Stage.
Tenancy Protection Bill 2023
Date published: 28 March 2023
This bill will amend section 35A of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 (as amended) so as to protect tenants of multi-unit developments from large-scale evictions.
Latest stage: Currently before Dáil Éireann, Second Stage.
Public Art Mural (Exempted Development) Bill 2023
Date published: 2 February 2023
This bill will amend Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (S.I. No. 600 of 2001) to provide for exemptions from planning permission for certain categories of public art murals where such work has artistic or cultural merit, has the permission of the owner of the building or structure on which it is displayed, is not a commercial advertisement and does not conflict with the Equal Status Acts.
Latest stage: Currently before Dáil Éireann, Second Stage.
Eviction Ban Bill 2022
Date published: 19 October 2022
This bill will amend the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to ban evictions for the duration of the current housing emergency.
Latest stage: Completed Dáil Éireann, Second Stage.
Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) (No. 2) Bill 2023
Date published: Awaiting publication
To provide for the deferral of the termination dates of certain tenancies that fall, or would fall, during the period beginning on the day after the date of the passing of this Act and ending on 31 March 2024 in order to mitigate the risk that persons whose tenancies would otherwise be terminated during that period would be unable to obtain alternative accommodation.
Latest Stage: Dáil Éireann, Second Stage.
EU DRAFT LEGISLATION
Proposed Revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
Procedure reference: 2021/0426/COD
Date published: 15 December 2021
As part of the Commission Work Programme “Fit for 55” package the Commission has proposed a revision to the EPB Directive to support the EU's 2030 and 2050 decarbonisation objectives. The revised directive will support the key areas of focus identified in the Renovation Wave Strategy including the objective to double the annual energy renovation rate of buildings by 2030 and to foster deep renovations. One of the key features that will be introduced under the proposal are minimum energy performance standards in the sector. These standards will contribute to decreasing energy costs and thereby alleviating energy poverty, as well as increasing the value of more energy performing buildings.
Under the proposal, in order to be classified as a sustainable economic activity under the EU Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act, building renovation will have to either:
- achieve 30% energy savings;
- comply with minimum energy performance requirements for major renovation, or;
- consist of specific individual measures classified as sustainable.
Renovations complying with the proposed minimum energy performance standards will be in compliance with the Taxonomy Climate Delegate Act.
Latest stage: On 14 March 2023, the European Parliament a number of amendments to the proposal. The matter has now been referred back to the committee responsible for inter-institutional negotiations.
Proposal for a Directive on energy efficiency (recast)
Procedure reference: 2021/0203/COD
Date published: 14 July 2021
This proposal revises the Energy Efficiency Directive, as well as other existing energy and climate rules, to support the EU's ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55%, as compared to 1990. At trilogue negotiations the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement that Member States must collectively ensure a reduction of final energy consumption of at least 11.7% in 2030, compared with the previous energy consumption forecasts made in 2020. In relation to real estate, the Council and the Parliament have agreed that Member States will be required to renovate at least 3% of the total floor area of buildings owned by public bodies each year.
Latest stage: Enacted on 13 September 2023.