The mysterious case of the missing opinion of compliance. How one piece of paper can save your sale (And Your Sanity)

If Sherlock Holmes had traded his magnifying glass for a clipboard and a hi-vis vest, he might’ve spent less time chasing murderers and more time asking,

“Has your sunroom extension received an Opinion of Compliance?”

And frankly, in today’s Irish property market, that question might solve more mysteries than Moriarty ever managed to cook up.

The house can't be sold due to noncompliance

The invisible dealbreaker

Picture this: You've lovingly extended your home. Knocked down a wall or two. Built a sun-drenched conservatory that makes your heart sing every Sunday morning. Now, it’s time to sell. You imagine potential buyers swooning at the light, the space, the open-plan feng shui of it all.

But then - bam! - your solicitor squints at the drawings, tilts their head and says the dreaded words:

“Where’s the Opinion of Compliance?”

Cue the tumbleweed. Because suddenly your dream buyer becomes a maybe. Your sale becomes a negotiation. And your confidence crumbles faster than your neighbour’s dodgy brickwork.

Frustrated house owner

What exactly is an Opinion of Compliance?

Let’s step back a moment. An Opinion of Compliance sounds like something a very stern planning officer might whisper at a tribunal. In reality, it’s a document. Just a document. But one that packs more legal reassurance than a courtroom full of barristers.

It’s a professional statement (usually issued by an architect or engineer) confirming that your building works were carried out in accordance with:

• Planning permission, and

• Building regulations.

Without it, you’re selling not just a house, but a question mark. And buyers, bless them, don’t like question marks. They like guarantees, sign-offs, and a good night’s sleep.

When Do You Need One?

Let’s play a quick round of “Have You Been Naughty With Your House?”

• Extended your home? 🏠

• Knocked through a wall that may or may not have been load-bearing? 🧱

• Added an attic conversion that now houses your teenager and their permanently closed bedroom door? 🛏️

If you nodded to any of these, and you’re thinking of selling, you likely need an Opinion of Compliance. Even if the work was done years ago. Even if Uncle Tony “the builder” said it was grand.

Because while Tony’s advice might be legendary in the family WhatsApp group, solicitors and banks prefer something a little more... documented.

Why It Matters More Than You Think

Let’s return to our buyer, who has just discovered your home has an extra bedroom that isn’t on the original plans. Their solicitor frowns. Their mortgage provider pauses. And suddenly, that charming conservatory you built becomes a legal limbo.

But hand them an Opinion of Compliance?

Suddenly you're not just a homeowner—you’re a prepared homeowner. A reassuringly legitimate seller. Someone who dots their i’s, crosses their t’s, and reads the fine print before signing.

In short, you’re the kind of person people like to buy houses from.

Enter ComplianceCertificates.ie - Your Property’s Wingman

At ComplianceCertificates.ie, we don’t just issue paperwork. We issue peace of mind.

Our experts pore over your property like the forensic team in CSI: Planning Permissions. We verify, we assess, and we deliver an Opinion of Compliance that stands up to legal scrutiny—without giving you a migraine.

It’s the fastest route to turning a “maybe” sale into a confident “yes.”

The Bottom Line

Think of an Opinion of Compliance as the unsung hero of the Irish property world. It doesn’t wear a cape. It doesn’t shout for attention. But it’s the one thing standing between you and a property sale disaster.

So before you list your home, or sign a dotted line, ask yourself: Do I have the document that makes buyers sleep easy?

If not, now you know where to go.

Make the sale stick - https://www.compliancecertificates.ie/contact-us before your conservatory becomes a courtroom subplot.