Green Party tables bill which will fix ‘the blight’ of vacant housing

The Green Party have tabled the Vacant Dereliction and Regeneration Bill 2022 which aims to tax properties that have not been lived in for at least 180 days in the preceding year.

The tax would be an addition to the already established local property tax.

Patrick Costello TD for Dublin South Central welcomed the bill and said that it would help fund social housing in the county.

“Housing, along with the cost of living, is the most critical issue in Ireland at the moment, spanning every sector of society and every age group,” he says.

“We know there are at least 90,000 vacant homes left idle across the country and our villages, towns and cities are blighted with neglected and derelict buildings.

“Under this bill, homes that are vacant for at least 180 days in the preceding year would be subject to a new vacant home tax at three percent of the market value of the property, to be collected by revenue as part of the local property tax.

“This would be re-paid to the local authority where the vacant property lies, which for example, would fund housing needs in Dublin South Central”.

Deputy Costello says that the bill include some key exemptions, such as if the owner of the property is in care; if the occupant has moved temporarily for work purposes; if the property is a holiday home; or if the property is undergoing major renovations.

An initiative introduced in Vancouver has seen a 25% decrease in vacant property since introducing similar tax measures in 2017.