Thousands of homeowners could face sharp increase in LPT bills next year

Eva Osborne

Thousands of homeowners nationwide could face sharp increases in their Local Property Tax bills next year.

Rising house prices and higher council charges could combine to push some bills up by hundreds of euro.

Carlow, Dublin City, South Dublin, Fingal, and Cork County councils recently voted to move from a reduced rate to a higher rate.

The Irish Independent reports the Department of Finance and local councils insist that 96 per cent of people will stay in their current band, with only small increases of between €5 and €25.

Irish Independent assistant news editor Alan Caulfield said: "Thousands of homeowners are facing a triple hit in local property tax bills next year due to changes to the system, according to analysis by the Irish Independent.

"House prices are rising rapdily, the property tax bands are being changed, and more councils have voted to increase the amount they charge by up to 15 per cent.

"These factors could result in owners of some average price homes paying far more than in previous years.

"Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has insisted that changes to the system will mean that 96 will stay in their existing band.

"Our analysis shows that, while most people may stay in their old band, bigger increases could hit those who move into the next band if their home has risen signsignificantly in value."