New Household charge

Following much interest expressed by the public I am relaying to you a summary (derived from recent press coverage) of how the payment is likely to be collected and enforced.

Summary:

ANY homeowners refusing to pay the planned annual €100 household charge will not be able to dispose of their property until they stump up whatever they owe.

If they die owing the charge, it will have to be paid by whomever inherits the property, according to the Department of the Environment.

The minister also said that as the charge "represents an additional cost for homeowners", a facility will be established whereby householders can pay the charge in instalments of €25 every three months rather than as a once-off annual charge.

The €100 household charge — a precursor to a property tax and water charges — is to be introduced next January. Legislation outlining the precise charge is to be brought before the Oireachtas shortly.

The charge will paid by householders on a "self-assessment" basis similar to the non-principal private residences charge, meaning that it is up to the householder to make sure it is paid and paid promptly.

"It will be a matter for owners of residential property to register and pay the charge by the due date. In the event of non-payment, penalties will apply and unpaid household charges will remain as a charge against the property concerned," said Mr Hogan.

The Local Government Management Agency is developing an online system to allow homeowners to pay the household charge by credit or debit card.

Homeowners will also be able to make payments by cheque or postal order through the post to the agency. A bureau will be set up within the organisation to administer the charge for all local authorities.