NPPR and PRTB News

Figures released over the weekend by the Department of the Environment show that NPPR payments have amounted to over €180m since its introduction in 2009. This is vastly greater than the €100m previously expected. Owners of approximately 320,000 second properties have paid up and will no doubt help local authorities to fund the various services they provide. They also have power to chase up payments by checking bills, and the voter and land registers. For those who like a bit of detail, the Irish Independent provides a breakdown of the figures.

• 2009 - 323,365 properties brought in €68.7m in tax 
• 2010 - €66.9m was paid on 320,766 properties 
• 2011- So far, €47.7m was acquired from 238,720 properties 
• All of that totals €183.5 million 

Not surprisingly, most of the second homes are in Dublin with the lowest amount in Monaghan

As expected, the crackdown on PRTB avoiders has begun. According to the Irish Times, the PRTB has written to 1400 landlords warning them that they will be prosecuted for not registering. Inspections of private rented accommodation will be able to be conducted thanks to the €4 million given to local authorities today. These inspections will cover areas such as sound structure, appropriate ventilation and heating etc. Signing onto the register will make inspections and regulation easier. So far, the PRTB has issued eight court summonses for later this month and have secured seven criminal convictions against landlords in the past six months so they are very definitely serious about it! 

Info sourced from the Irish Independent and the Irish Times. Articles can be found here and here respectively