Council may hike rents over property tax bill

Thousands of Cork City Council tenants could face rent hikes to help the local authority pay a €1.2m property tax bill.

The news emerged last night during a closed doors meeting between senior management and councillors, as talks begin on the preparation of the city’s budget for 2014.

Councillors were told the city is facing a €400,000 property tax bill on its housing stock for this year, and an €800,000 bill next year.