asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the houses at Lakeshore Drive, Renmore, County Galway have been purchased from the builder by an individual (name supplied) who resold the houses as soon as the builder had completed them, without registering as the owner; and that as a result genuine house purchasers are being required by the Revenue Commissioners to pay stamp duty on the purchase price; and if he will make a statement in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - House Purchase Stamp Duty.
35.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, the individual who contracted with the builder for the erection of the houses was, in fact, registered as the owner of the land before the houses were resold. If he had not been so registered no difficulty would have arisen regarding the granting of exemption to the first occupiers. The Revenue Commissioners have reviewed the matter, however, and it now appears that the houses had not been completed when the vendor acquired title to the land in the first instance. In these circumstances it will be possible to accord exemption to the first occupiers.
"Exemption to the first occupiers"—does that mean that the person who bought the houses before they were completed is the person responsible for paying?
No, it means that the transfer to the first occupiers will be exempt from stamp duty in the same way as in any ordinary case where a grant is being obtained.
I am not quite clear. By "first occupier" does the Minister mean a person who has bought the house on its completion?
Yes.
Thank you.