Why Apartment and Duplex Mapping Costs More Than a Standard House
- Andrew Mc Allister
- 21 hours ago
- 6 min read
If you've received a quote for apartment or duplex mapping and found it higher than a standard residential property quote, this post explains exactly why.
Apartment and duplex registrations in Ireland are considerably more complex than standard house registrations. The difference comes down to the volume and type of mapping information that Tailte Éireann and the Property Registration Authority (PRAI) require before they will accept a first registration application.
What is the Difference Between Apartment Mapping and House Mapping in Ireland?
For a standard residential house, a compliant Land Registry map typically requires:
A site location map showing the property in context
A map clearly identifying the boundaries of the property
ITM (Irish Transverse Mercator) coordinates
Correct scale and presentation in line with Tailte Éireann standards
This is a straightforward, single-unit process. In most cases the property sits on its own plot of land with clear boundaries that can be identified from existing documentation and aerial mapping.
Apartments and duplexes are a different matter entirely.
An apartment or duplex does not sit on its own plot of land. It occupies a defined space within a larger building or development. Identifying that space precisely and compliantly requires a significantly greater level of mapping detail, and in most cases a set of multiple maps rather than a single plan.
What Maps Are Required for an Apartment or Duplex Registration in Ireland?
A compliant apartment or duplex mapping set will typically include some or all of the following:
A site location map identifying the overall development
A floor plan for each level the property occupies, drawn to a recognised scale with room dimensions and layout clearly shown
Building level identification, specifying which floor or floors the unit is located on
Height information, required for multi-storey properties under current Tailte Éireann guidelines
ITM coordinates applied correctly across all maps
Parking space mapping, where a parking space forms part of the title
Storage unit mapping, where storage is included in the registration
Identification of rights of way and rights of use, including access routes, common areas and shared facilities
Each of these elements has to be prepared, checked and cross-referenced against the legal documentation before the map set can be submitted.
How Did the 2022 Tailte Éireann Mapping Changes Affect Apartment Registrations?
The Tailte Éireann mapping changes introduced in December 2022 tightened the requirements for apartment and duplex mapping considerably.
Prior to these changes, apartment mapping, while still more involved than house mapping, operated under less prescriptive standards. The updated guidelines introduced stricter requirements in relation to:
Floor plan presentation and scale
Building level identification
ITM coordinate requirements for multi-storey properties
Cross-referencing between site maps and floor plans
As a result, many apartment maps prepared before December 2022 no longer meet current requirements, even if they were fully compliant at the time they were produced. This is one of the most common reasons apartment first registration applications attract mapping queries from the PRAI.
If your apartment maps were prepared before December 2022, it is worth having them reviewed before submission.
What Happens With Parking Spaces and Storage Units in an Apartment Registration?
Parking spaces and storage units are one of the most frequent sources of complication in apartment registrations.
The key question is whether the parking space or storage unit forms part of the title being registered, or whether the owner has a right to use a designated space under the terms of their lease.
This distinction matters for two reasons:
If the space forms part of the title, it must be mapped and included in the registration
If it is a right of use, it needs to be correctly identified and described in the legal documentation
Getting this wrong can result in mapping queries, delays and the need to revise and resubmit maps.
At Legal Maps, we review the lease and title documentation carefully before finalising any apartment map set to make sure parking and storage areas are handled correctly from the outset.
How Much Does Apartment or Duplex Mapping Cost in Ireland?
Because apartment and duplex mapping involves a greater number of individual maps, more detailed technical requirements and careful cross-referencing with legal documentation, the work involved is considerably greater than a standard residential map.
Our current pricing is:
Standard residential property map: from €399 + VAT
Apartment or duplex mapping: from €599 + VAT
Additional duplex floor map: from €199 + VAT
Parking space (surface level) mapping: from €50 per space
Parking space (underground) mapping: from €199 per space
On-site survey (where required): from €199 + VAT
Every apartment and duplex job is assessed individually before we confirm a final price. We review your lease, existing floor plans and title documentation first, and provide a clear itemised quote based on exactly what is required, with no surprises.
You can view full pricing on our pricing page.
Do I Need a Site Survey for Apartment or Duplex Mapping?
Not always. Every job is assessed on a case by case basis.
In many cases, existing lease plans, architectural drawings and deed documentation provide enough information to prepare compliant maps without a site visit.
The more information you can provide upfront, the better. Existing maps, lease plans, architectural drawings, layout plans and any previously prepared floor plans all help us assess what is needed quickly and accurately. Where the existing documentation is complete and consistent, a site visit can often be avoided entirely.
Where documentation is limited, or where there are discrepancies between the lease plan and the physical layout of the property, a site survey may be required. This will always be flagged at the quoting stage so there are no unexpected costs.
Can I Use the Floor Plan From My Lease for the Land Registry Application?
In most cases, no.
The floor plan attached to your lease is a useful starting point and helps us identify the property, but it was prepared for a different purpose and will generally not meet the current technical requirements of a PRAI first registration application.
A compliant floor plan for registration purposes must meet specific requirements in relation to scale, presentation, ITM coordinates, building level identification and cross-referencing with the site map. Lease plans, particularly older ones, rarely satisfy all of these requirements without revision or replacement.
Why Does Getting Apartment Mapping Right Matter?
Submitting non-compliant maps for an apartment or duplex registration can result in:
A mapping query from the PRAI
Requests for additional information or revised maps
Delays to the registration, sometimes by several weeks or months
Additional professional fees for revised mapping
Further correspondence between solicitors and mapping consultants
In most cases, having the maps assessed and prepared correctly at the outset is significantly less costly than addressing a query after submission.
The Bottom Line
Apartment and duplex mapping costs more than standard residential mapping because it involves more maps, more technical detail, more cross-referencing with legal documentation, and more careful review of the title and lease before work begins.
The additional cost reflects the additional complexity. Getting it right at the outset avoids the delays, queries and extra fees that come with a rejected or queried submission.
If you have an apartment or duplex registration coming up, the best first step is to send us your existing documentation, including your lease, floor plans and any deed maps you have. We will assess what is needed and come back to you with a clear price.
Have an apartment or duplex to register?
Send us your existing documentation and we will assess what is required and come back with a clear, itemised price, usually within one working day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does apartment mapping cost more than house mapping in Ireland?
Apartment mapping requires a greater number of individual maps, including floor plans, site location maps, building level identification and parking mapping. The technical requirements are significantly more detailed than a standard residential property, which means more time and work is involved in preparing a compliant set.
Do I need new maps if my apartment already has a floor plan on the lease?
In most cases yes. Lease floor plans were prepared for a different purpose and rarely meet the current technical requirements of a PRAI first registration application. A new compliant set will usually be required.
What did the 2022 mapping changes mean for apartment registrations?
The December 2022 Tailte Éireann mapping changes introduced stricter requirements for floor plan presentation, ITM coordinates, building level identification and cross-referencing. Maps prepared before this date may no longer be accepted, even if they were compliant at the time.
How long does apartment mapping take?
Timescales vary depending on the complexity of the property and the documentation available. Once we have reviewed your existing documentation and confirmed the scope of work, we will provide an estimated turnaround. Express same-day service is available in some cases, subject to availability.
Do I need a site survey for my apartment?
Not always. This is assessed on a case by case basis. The more documentation you can provide upfront, the better the chance of avoiding a site visit. Where existing lease plans, architectural drawings and floor plans are available, a survey can often be avoided.
Comments