In Ireland entry into the practices of auctioneering and estate agency is currently governed by the Auctioneers and House Agents Acts of 1947, 1967 and 1973. The legislation provides for the licensing of auctioneers and for a fine of up to just €635 for any person convicted of representing himself as an auctioneer without a licence.

Auctioneers obtain licences on an annual basis. The only pre-requisite for holding an auctioneer’ss licence is lodging a bond of €12,700 with a court and satisfying a District Court judge that you are suitable to be an agent. This usually involves merely proving you are neither bankrupt nor a criminal.

There are two professional organisations for Estate Agents or Auctioneers:
The Auctioneers and Valuers Institute (IAVI) :  members must qualify by examination and study valuations, all aspects of relevant law, town planning and other areas essential to the provision of a good estate agency service. Ordinary members of the IAVI require an accredited property degree, while associated membership requires the equivalent of a higher certificate in property studies.
The IAVI fines members who do not adhere to its code and can now fine members up to €20,000 and order them to repay all fees/outlay charged to a client, if the circumstances merit it. It has done so in more than 80 cases since 1993.

Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV)  have bonding programmes and consumer protection programmes in place.

Both organisations offer greater protection than the state for deposits paid to member firms, with the IAVI offering the highest level of protection at 15 times the level of the statutory High Court Bond of €12,700 required of all auctioneers.