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| Version 17 | Version 18 |
|---|---|
| Empty home rates plan faces delay | Empty home rates plan faces delay |
| (18 minutes later) | |
| Plans to levy rates on empty houses in Northern Ireland may be delayed, the Department of Finance has said. | Plans to levy rates on empty houses in Northern Ireland may be delayed, the Department of Finance has said. |
| The scheme was due to be introduced from April next year. | The scheme was due to be introduced from April next year. |
| Department official Brian McClure told the assembly that the fact the housing market was still weak meant the timing of the move was being considered. | Department official Brian McClure told the assembly that the fact the housing market was still weak meant the timing of the move was being considered. |
| There are more than 50,000 empty homes across Northern Ireland, which some estimates say could bring in an extra £31m in rates. | |
| However, other estimates put the likely annual yield at £10m. | |
| Speaking during a meeting of the assembly's finance committee, the SDLP's Declan O'Loan said paying rates on vacant properties would be the last thing developers would want at a time when many had empty homes which could not be sold. | Speaking during a meeting of the assembly's finance committee, the SDLP's Declan O'Loan said paying rates on vacant properties would be the last thing developers would want at a time when many had empty homes which could not be sold. |
| Mr McClure stressed that no decision has been made, but he added that, aside from the market considerations, he doubted the Land and Property Services agency would have the capacity to deliver on rating empty homes by April 2010. | Mr McClure stressed that no decision has been made, but he added that, aside from the market considerations, he doubted the Land and Property Services agency would have the capacity to deliver on rating empty homes by April 2010. |