An Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing report into urban regeneration to be published today (Tuesday, 24 May, 2022) recommends that Government consider a vacant homes tax.
The report also states that the imminent zoned land tax should be increased by more than 3%. In addition, the committee recommends that funding available under the Repair and Leasing Scheme should exceed the maximum of EUR 60,000. The scheme is designed to make vacant properties available for social housing purposes.
According to architect Mel Reynolds, 137 000 homes are currently vacant. While statistics suggest “an abundance of vacant units within Dublin city, Dublin City Council (DCC) advised that vacancy is much more nuanced than statistics show.
“In this respect, having carried out a pilot survey in four electoral divisions, DCC identified 213 potentially vacant homes, of which just 49 were confirmed as being vacant, with just 16 of those being confirmed as being vacant long term.”
“DCC advised for many properties identified as vacant or derelict there are often title difficulties, legal and probate issues, and owners with financial or other difficulties preventing them from making use of properties or sites.”