Granny flats taxed as second property

GRANNY flats and independent living spaces for elderly people near their families will be subject to a €200 second-home tax which is expected to be imposed as early as next month.

Concern was raised last night that residents of nursing homes would also have to pay the levy on their original houses under the second-home legislation announced in last October’s budget.

But Environment Minister John Gormley has asked the Attorney General to review the Local Government Charges Bill 2009 before it is enacted to be absolutely sure that the €200 tax will not apply to those in long-term care settings.