Property Transfer Duty - Section 11

Property Transfer Duty - Section 11

There is a new duty on owners to notify the local authority of a change in occupation of rateable property under Section 11 Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019.

From 1 January 2024, owners of rateable property are required to notify their relevant local authority when there is a change in the occupation of their property,  i.e. where a property is being sold or there is a change in tenancy, including where a property becomes vacant.

Owners must complete this notification immediately.

  • Owners who do not notify the local authority immediately will incur a financial penalty. This penalty is an amount equivalent to up to two years of outstanding rates from the previous occupier.
  • Any penalty due and outstanding by an owner of relevant property due to non-notification will remain a charge on the property.

All ratepayers are reminded that they are legally required to discharge all commercial rates due from them prior to their departure from a property or prior to the sale or transfer of an interest in a property.  Any rates due and outstanding by an owner of relevant property will remain a charge on the property.

Duty on owners/ratepayers in relation to a transfer of property from 1st January, 2024

Section 11 of the Act places:

  • An obligation on property owners, or their agents, to notify the Local Authority where an interest in a rateable property is transferred and the person liable for rates changes.
  • The person transferring the property, either the owner or occupier, must discharge all rates for which he/she is liable at the date of transfer.

Failure to notify Meath County Council of a change in interest immediately of the transfer date, may result in a penalty for non-compliance in that, the owner becomes liable for an amount which is equivalent to the level of outstanding liabilities.

This obligation came into effect on 1st January, 2024.

If you have any further questions or queries regarding property transfer duty, please get in touch using the following details:

Contact Details

Rates Section, Meath County Council, Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, Co Meath

ratesfinance@meathcoco.ie
Tel: 046 9097433/7431/7428

An online form is available at: https://www.commercialratesireland.ie/ or the form below can be used.