Household Charge

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Ceisteanna (595)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

595 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 125 of 9 May 2012 and 115 of 17 May 2012, if he will give a specific answer to the two previously specific Parliamentary Questions, namely the background reason tenants of residential properties, whether in public or in private residential accommodation, are considered to be not liable for the household charge, and that he will not just repeat the terminology of the legislation, as was done in the two previous Parliamentary Questions, in view of the fact that the legislation underpinning the Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 is clear. [26783/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan)

The household charge is levied on owners of residential properties. A tenant, whether in public or private rented accommodation, is not an owner of the property in which he or she is living and is therefore not liable in respect of that property. The charge is assessed on the basis of ownership of property, not on individuals personally. However, a tenant who is the owner of another property in which he or she is not living would be liable for the household charge and for the non-principal private residence charge on that property unless specifically exempted.