The Law Society of Ireland / Construction Industry Federation Building Agreement was ‎last updated in 2001. There have been significant developments in the law since then, ‎particularly around Building Control. As a result, and after a lengthy review, the Conveyancing Committee has drafted new Special Conditions 1 to 4 and Building ‎Conditions (the 'Building Conditions') that are to be used in conjunction with the Law Society Conditions of Sale 2023 (Revised) ‎Edition for the sale of new homes in residential estate schemes of development.

The Building Conditions are incorporated into the General Conditions of Sale, as an Appendix 1, by use of a new document named the Combined Building ‎Agreement / Contract for Sale 2026, which is available to download in the Precedents page. 

The Conveyancing Committee has also drafted an Explanatory Memorandum to accompany the new template and this memorandum is available below.

The Combined Building ‎Agreement / Contract for Sale 2026 is intended for use in residential estates only, and is not suitable for use for one off units. It should be used for all new homes (houses and apartments) in residential estates on and after 1 February 2026 but can be used from 1 January 2026.

The Combined Building ‎Agreement / Contract for Sale 2026 need not be used for a new phase in an existing development, nor for any development where sales have commenced on or before 1 February 2026, where the 2001 Law Society of Ireland / Construction Industry Federation Building Agreement has already been used for the sale of units. It is acknowledged that there shall be a period where there will be two sets of documents in circulation for residential estate schemes of development.

The Conveyancing Committee urges members to implement and adopt the use of the Combined Building ‎Agreement / Contract for Sale 2026 at the earliest opportunity.