Licence to Occupy Business Premises

A licence to occupy business premises in Ireland allows a business to use space without a lease. A licence to occupy suits short-term or shared business space where neither side wants a lease. In this service, a solicitor would draft the licence covering the permitted use, licence fee, services, duration, termination and the terms that help keep it a licence rather than a tenancy under Irish landlord and tenant law.

What’s included

• A professionally drafted licence to occupy business premises
• Covering permitted use, licence fee, services, duration and termination
• Terms designed to keep it a licence rather than a tenancy under Irish landlord and tenant law
• Self-complete template with guidance notes — you fill it in yourself
• Documents tailored to Irish law and your circumstances, delivered by email
• A written summary of the key points and anything you need to do afterwards

Who this is for

• Property owners letting desk space, a unit or a pop-up shop short term
• Businesses sharing premises with another business
• Owners allowing a business to use space while a lease is negotiated
• Occupiers who want clarity on what they can and cannot do

How it works

1. Find a solicitor through the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory and send them the basic details and any existing documents or correspondence.
2. Complete a short questionnaire about your circumstances.
3. A solicitor would then draft the licence to occupy for your premises and arrangement.
4. The completed work is delivered to you by email, with plain-English notes on what to do next.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a licence to occupy cost in Ireland?

This page is a free guide — nothing on it is for sale. Solicitors set their own fees for this work and must give you a written costs estimate (a section 150 letter) before starting. Get quotes through the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.

What is the difference between a licence and a lease?

A lease generally gives the tenant exclusive possession for a term, with statutory protections in some cases, while a licence is a personal permission to use the space. How the arrangement works in practice matters, not just what it is called.

Can a licence accidentally become a tenancy?

Yes. If the arrangement in practice looks like a tenancy, it may be treated as one. A solicitor would draft terms designed to keep it a licence.

For more on buying, owning and using property, see our Property & Conveyancing in Ireland guide.

If you would like to be told when solicitor services are available again on this site, you can join our no-fee waiting list. To instruct a solicitor now, use the Law Society of Ireland’s Find a Solicitor directory.