WHY PROPERTY TRANSFERS TAKE LONGER OVER DECEMBER

If you have purchased property near the end of the year, you might have a slightly longer wait ahead before the property will be transferred into your name.

As with most other businesses, the various Deed’s Offices across the country close over December, most of which close around the 21st and re-open around the 2nd of January. This means that the standard eight to ten working day waiting period will not apply to sales that have been completed during December. Delays are also likely to occur on transactions which are completed in January, as the Deed’s Office often only employ skeleton staff for the first few weeks and will have to catch up on the backlog when they get back into full swing come the middle of the month.  

How long does transfer normally take?
In ordinary circumstances, after collating all the required documents and lodging the transfer at Deed’s Office, it will take roughly around eight to ten working days for the transfer documents to be examined and processed. The applicant will be notified that the property has been registered in their name and can now move into their new home. It then takes another few months for the new Title Deed to be delivered to the new homeowner.

Consider your moving date
If you need to be out of your current property by a certain date, keep this in mind so that you can make the necessary arrangements for interim accommodation. You can arrange to move into the new property prior to the completion of registration, but this needs to be discussed with the original owner and an occupational rent amount will need to be paid for this period.