Defaulter residents and firms owe €500m to councils

CASH-STRAPPED local authorities have been told to crack down on defaulters as figures show more than €500 million is owed in development levies, rent and rates arrears and unpaid refuse charges.

As householders face hikes in rates, the figures show that the country’s largest local authority has arrears totalling €231m, including €73m owed by businesses in rates.

Included in this is a staggering €16m owed to Dublin City Council in refuse charges with approximately 9,500 customers in “serious arrears” (in excess of one year).