Multiple second-home owning rates revealed

Ten people liable to pay the second home tax on houses they own in Westmeath possess at least twenty properties each, figures obtained by the Westmeath Independent this week reveal. In total, the ten owned 271 out of the 4,492 properties registered as "non principal primary residences" in Westmeath in mid January. However, since mid-January, another 728 properties have gone onto the register. Given the addition of so many houses in just over two weeks, it is likely that a number of those are also part of multiple holdings. The Government tax of €200 per house has brought a windfall to Westmeath County Council of €1.105m to date on the total of 5,220 properties now registered. The mid-January figures show that 2,440 people own one second property in Westmeath; accounting for 54 per cent of the houses on the council's list. Some 2,379 of the houses on the list are owned by people actually living in Westmeath, while 624 are owned by Dublin residents, and 318 by people living in Galway. Roscommon features high on the list too, with Roscommon-based residents owning 269 of the second properties in Westmeath - a figure that arises probably because of Roscommon-based builders owning unsold houses in Athlone that they have decided to keep for themselves. It is believed that a lot of those who own large numbers of houses are actually builders, but others are investors. The figures also show that there are twelve other countries represented on the list of home addresses of owners of second properties in Westmeath.When the new tax was first announced, Westmeath County Council performed an audit and estimated that there were about 6,000 units in Westmeath liable for the tax, meaning the Council is satisfied with the number registered to date. The legislation provides for voluntary disclosure by the owners of second properties, but those who fail to disclose are liable for prosecution, and could have to pay a fine of €2,000 per house plus €20 per month per property. The fees are due on houses that are owned by a person, but that are not, on March 31, their principal residence. That means even if you own only one house, but are living at a different address on that date, you are liable for the tax, a Council spokesperson said this week, adding that the tax was liable only on houses that are habitable. The tax is not, however, liable on houses that have never been occupied - i.e., newly-built houses currently on sale.The Council has found confirmation from the detail supplied by those registering for the tax, that as expected, few of the second homes locally are holiday homes. "The tax breaks weren't here for holiday homes," the council spokesperson pointed out.