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17/06/2008
Vacant House 'Tax' Could Boost Derry Coffers
One of NI's largest councils is eyeing up well over £1m in additional income by targeting empty houses.
Derry City Council believes that it could raise £1.5m a year by imposing 100% rates on empty houses.
With the double benefit of encouraging owners of empty properties to turn them over for occupation, the move follows a Department of Finance and Personnel consultation with councils across Northern Ireland.
The proposal introduced by the former NI Finance Minister, Peter Robinson, outlined details of his review of domestic rates which included an announcement of a new 'tax' on both derelict land and empty houses.
The Maiden City currently has more than 2,500 vacant properties in its council area, with a spokesperson from Derry City Council noting that they were currently preparing a response to the review of domestic rating public consultation.
Details of the far-reaching review of the Northern Ireland rating system were initially announced in November last year.
Mr Robinson - who is now NI First Minister - said that he planned to rate empty homes at 100% to encourage their use - as a potential boost for those seeking homes - possibly by 2009, and that he expected a derelict land tax affecting mainly old industrial areas around Belfast by 2010.
See: Empty House 'Tax' Should Boost Housing Market
(BMcC)
Derry City Council believes that it could raise £1.5m a year by imposing 100% rates on empty houses.
With the double benefit of encouraging owners of empty properties to turn them over for occupation, the move follows a Department of Finance and Personnel consultation with councils across Northern Ireland.
The proposal introduced by the former NI Finance Minister, Peter Robinson, outlined details of his review of domestic rates which included an announcement of a new 'tax' on both derelict land and empty houses.
The Maiden City currently has more than 2,500 vacant properties in its council area, with a spokesperson from Derry City Council noting that they were currently preparing a response to the review of domestic rating public consultation.
Details of the far-reaching review of the Northern Ireland rating system were initially announced in November last year.
Mr Robinson - who is now NI First Minister - said that he planned to rate empty homes at 100% to encourage their use - as a potential boost for those seeking homes - possibly by 2009, and that he expected a derelict land tax affecting mainly old industrial areas around Belfast by 2010.
See: Empty House 'Tax' Should Boost Housing Market
(BMcC)
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