Finance: Notice of Consideration of a scheme for the abatement of rates in respect of vacant properties

Overview

The Council provides a broad range of services to residents, businesses and visitors to the County. These services are funded from income from Commercial Rates, grants, Local Property Tax and other income generated locally such as parking, housing rents, planning fees etc

Income from commercial rates pays for a wide range of services including street lighting, maintenance of roads and footpaths, libraries, parks and playgrounds, sports and recreation facilities, economic development, community development and environmental protection.

The levying and collection of commercial rates by Local Authorities is legislated under the Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019.

Section 9 of the Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 makes specific provision that elected members of a local authority may make a scheme providing for the abatement of rates in respect of vacant properties, and that such a scheme shall be approved at the local authority budget meeting, concerning the local financial year to which the scheme shall apply. The Council agreed an Abatement Relief Rate of 35% for 2024 and will meet in the coming weeks to decide whether to to vary the Abatement Relief Rate for Vacant Properties for 2025.

Why your views matter

The Council welcomes submissions from the public on this matter:

1. On this portal by clicking on the link below or,
2. By post to Abatement of Rates Submissions, Finance Department, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, A96K6C9.
3. By email to vacancysubmissions@dlrcoco.ie

All comments, including the names and addresses of those making comments, submitted to the Council in regard to this consultation process will form part of the statutorily required report to be presented to a meeting of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.  Accordingly, they will also be included in the minutes of that meeting and consequently will appear on the Council’s website.