Second-home payments drop across the capital

DROP-OFF: Council chiefs still waiting for late payers

Geraldine Gittens

SECOND-home levies across Dublin are down this year.

The city's four local authorities are on course to see Non Principal Private Residence (NPPR) payments fall for 2011.

The councils have not received all levies on second homes -- despite penalties for late payments -- but indications are that the final tallies will be down on previous years.

The deadline for NPPR payments is June 30 each year. Owners of holiday homes and residential investment properties who did not pay the €200 by June 30 are now incurring fines of €20 per month.

To date, Fingal County Council (FCC) said 13,178 home owners have paid the levy so far, but payments in 2010 were for a higher number -- 15,931 homes.

A spokesperson for Fingal County Council said that levies have decreased in number since they first became mandatory.

"NPPR charges were paid on 15,995 properties in the Fingal area in 2009. In 2010 the figure was 15,931. In 2011 the figure is 13,178 but charges and late payment fees continue to be made.

"The total amount collected in charges and late payment fees since 2009 is €9.5m."

SDCC also experienced a small decrease, receiving €2,463,680 in 2009 on 11,584 properties, while in 2010 it received €2,357,300 on 11,194 properties and €1,967,980 on 9,700 properties in 2011 so far.

A spokesperson for Dublin City Council (DCC) said it has earned around €35m in the last three years, but is still processing this year's payments.

"The payment is self-declared by the owner and monthly penalties arise where the payment is not made within three months of the liability date," a spokesman told the Herald.

"The liability date for 2010 and all subsequent years is March 31 for payment by June 30 each year.

liable

"While there is no definitive number of non principal private properties (exemptions apply in certain cases) there are in excess of 50,000 properties declared in Dublin City."

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) has received payments on 12,108 homes.

A spokesperson for DLRCC said the total paid to the council since 2009 is €8,413,140.

The spokesperson added: "The NPPR is self-assessed therefore we are not in a position to confirm how may properties are liable for the charge.

"Eighty five per cent of the total number declared in 2010 has paid to date in 2011. However, it should be noted that the number of properties liable for the charge from one year to the next year will vary."

hnews@herald.ie