House buyer not liable for longstanding derelict sites levy, court rules

Dublin City Council demanded payment from Michelle Maher of a €50,153 derelict sites levy imposed on a property in 2008, which she purchased in 2014

It was apparent from the Derelict Sites Act scheme that, as between the original owner of the lands and a mortgagee, the responsibility for payment of the derelict sites levy resides with the original owner, Mr Justice Garret Simons said.

A woman was not liable for €50,000 she paid under the derelict sites levy which had been incurred by the previous owner of a property she bought, the High Court ruled.

Michelle Maher bought the East Wall, Dublin, property in 2014 for €176,600 from a bank which had called in a mortgage it granted to the previous owner.