A DUBLIN TD has called for a review of the tax on second homes because some homeowners have had to rent out their house after a change in circumstances.
Dublin North Central TD Aodhán Ó Riordáin, today called on the Minister for Environment and Local Government Phil Hogan to review the tax on second homes for those who only own one property.
If you currently own a property in which you do not live you are liable for the charge. This includes people on social welfare who may have leased their home to cover the cost of their mortgage.
I’ve been approached by many constituents on this issue and I cannot understand the irregularity. This should be a tax on those who own multiple homes, not on those who only own one.
Circumstances
He said that in the current circumstances “many people who are forced to vacate their home have ended up being footed with a bill for Non Principal Private Residence”.
These are people who may have lost their jobs and moved to smaller, cheaper accommodation, renting out what had previously been a primary residence in an effort to save their investment in their home.
Deputy Ó Riordáin has written to Minister Hogan TD, calling on him to review the situation. He said that: “At the very least there should be a provision for settlement, part-payment, payment by instalment or an exemption for people on social welfare.”
The TD said that some people had found themselves in changed circumstances – such as having lost a job or a ended a relationship – but were not able to sell their home.
“They didn’t acquire a property to make a profit from it,” said Deputy Ó Riordáin. “Because they are not living in the property, their mortgage interest relief is lost as they are renting it out.”
The Deputy said that to his mind this is unfair. He said that he believed there are some home owners who are not declaring the fact they are renting out their home, and “if you play by the rules” you will have to pay around €300 in total.
“I think that this a lot for somebody who has played by the rules,” he said.
I think it’s fair to suggest that when [this tax] was conceived and implemented first it was for those who had a second property and genuinely had it
The Deputy said that he believed that finding a solution to the situation was most likely a budgetary matter and he hopes Minister Hogan will take his letter on board.
He has also asked homeowners in this situation to tweet him about their experiences.
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