The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) confirmed today that over €100 million has been received to date from 990,459 households in payment of the Household Charge. In addition to this, there were 19,490 waivers received, with a further 6,000 registrations currently being queried. Thus, there is a grand total of 1,015,949 properties registered at this time.
“Today’s figures show that householders are continuing to pay the Household Charge in significant numbers”, says Paul McSweeney, CEO, LGMA. “Penalties and interest will continue to accrue for those who have not yet paid the charge. Local authorities will use the proceeds of the Household Charge to maintain essential local services. This money is critical to fund essential local services like public parks; libraries; open spaces and leisure amenities; planning and development; fire and emergency services; maintenance and cleaning of streets and street lighting – all facilities that benefit everyone in the community”. Mr. McSweeney is appealing to owners of residential properties who have not yet paid to register and pay the Household Charge as soon as possible.
A formal project group has been established to progress data sharing across the agencies listed in the legislation; Non Principal Private Residence (NPPR), the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB), Property Registration Authority (PRA), Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social Protection and ESB Networks. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) has advanced the process of analysing data to identify householders who have not yet registered and paid the Household Charge. The first data set was completed and letters were issued in early July. A second data set is due for completion in September with further letters being issued then.
A local authority has legislative power to bring legal proceedings for an offence. However, before any proceedings are commenced those who haven’t paid will be written to and given the opportunity to pay. Mr. McSweeney says “We are nearing completion of our second data set match and we anticipate that the results of this data set analysis will allow local authorities to send out their second batch of reminder letters next month to those homeowners initially identified in the data set as not having registered and paid. Over the coming months as further databases are compared, letters will issue to homeowners as they are identified, advising them of the outstanding charge on their property”.
Approximately 60% of registered properties so far has been paid by credit/debit card and by direct debit online at www.householdcharge.ie. The remaining 40% of registered properties have been paid by cheque/Postal Order/Bank Drafts at their local authority or by posting forms to Household Charge, PO Box 12168, Dublin 1.
All owners of residential property in Ireland are liable for the household charge on each residential property they own, as at 1st January 2012. This includes those properties that are liable for the €200 charge on Non-Principal Private Residences (NPPR). Owners of Irish residential properties who live outside Ireland are also required to register for and pay the household charge.
Payment of the charge and all penalties due can be made online at www.householdcharge.ie, by posting an application form to PO Box 12168, Dublin 1 or at your local authority office. For further information on waivers and exemptions and FAQs log on to www.householdcharge.ie or LoCall 1890 357357.
For more information on the LGMA, please go to www.lgma.ie