‘Compliance campaign’ to claim outstanding household levy

The Government is to launch a major “compliance campaign” to get money from the one in five homes yet to pay the household charge — and it will also start charging interest on the amount owed.

According to Environment Minister Phil Hogan, up to Jan 14, household charge payments had been confirmed in respect of 1,280,412 liable properties. Waivers had been granted to a further 24,592 such properties.

Mr Hogan said the total number of estimated liable residences for the household charge was 1,620,814 meaning the compliance rate was in excess of 80.5%. That compares to a compliance rate for the local property tax of 91%.