Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 25 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 4

Written Answers. - Ground Rents.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

212 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to introduce legislation or other measures to abolish ground rents on private domestic dwellings; and if she will make a statement on the matter outlining the position for householders whose leases have run out or are due to run out. [13274/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The Government policy agreement contains a commitment to introduce legislation to abolish ground rents as a specific lien on residential property and convert them into normal commercial debt. I am examining at present the measures which would be necessary to give effect to this with a view to putting the matter before Government.

I am not sure what specific point the Deputy has in mind in relation to householders whose levies have run out or are due to run out but it is the case that under section 7 of the Landlord and Tenant Act, 1984 a distinction is made between leases which have more or less than 15 years to run and that generally where the lease has less than 15 years to run the price payable for acquiring the fee simple is at its highest reflecting the increasing pecuniary interest of the landlord in the property. I am informed that the intention of the provision was to have due regard for the property right of both ground rent landlord and ground rent tenant within the context of constitutional requirements.