Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act, 1870

Presumption in respect of improvements.

5. For the purposes of compensation under this Act in respect of improvements on a holding which is not proved to be subject either to the Ulster tenant-right custom or to such usage as aforesaid, or where the tenant does not seek compensation in respect of such custom or usage, all improvements on such holding shall, until the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been made by the tenant or his predecessors in title, except in the following cases where compensation is claimed in respect of improvements made before the passing of this Act:

(1) Where such improvements have been made previous to the time at which the holding in reference to which the claim is made was conveyed on actual sale to the landlord or those through whom he derives title:

(2.) Where the tenant making the claim was tenant under a lease of the holding in reference to which the claim is made:

(3.) Where such improvements were made twenty years or upwards before the passing of this Act:

(4.) Where the holding upon which such improvements were made is valued under the Acts relating to the valuation of rateable property in Ireland at an annual value of more than one hundred pounds:

(5.) Where the Court shall be of opinion that in consequence of its being proved to have been the practice on the holding, or the estate of which such holding forms part, for the landlord to make such improvements, such presumption ought not to be made:

(6.) Where from the entire circumstances of the case the Court is reasonably satisfied that such improvements were not made by the tenant or his predecessors in title:

Provided always, that where it is proved to have been the practice on the holding, or the estate of which such holding forms part, for the landlord to assist in making such improvements, such presumption shall be modified accordingly.