Statement by SCSI on House-Hold Charge/Property Tax – ‘A move towards more sustainable financing for local government’
Monday 5th December 2011. The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland has said that the proposed household charge announced as part of Budget 2011 will provide local government with a more stable and sustainable source of income than that provided previously by stamp duty.
However the Society said it was vital that all monies raised through the household charge are ring fenced for use by local authorities to enable them to provide properly resources services for the public. The SCSI welcomed the proposed provisions to protect vulnerable groups in society.
The Society also said that the household charge/property tax should be paid by the occupier of the property.
Ed Carey, Chairman of the Residential Agency Professional Group of the Society said “While the introduction of the household charge was an inevitable move away from reliance on the transactional nature of stamp duty, it is our view that the charge should be paid by the occupier, who benefits from the local services, as is the case in other countries such as the UK”.
The SCSI also said that the method of assessing the Value Based Property Tax needs careful consideration in advance of its introduction.
“Given the fact that the previous value based tax – the Residential Property Tax – was perceived as an urban tax and eventually abolished, we would encourage careful consideration of all of the issues relating to the implementation of such a tax” Carey said.
“The proposed Property Price Database due to be implemented next year, will also provide a higher level of transparency in the property market and will provide the public with a greater level of information” Carey concluded.
ENDS
For further information
Kieran Garry
Gordon MRM,
kieran@gordonmrm.ie
