Local property tax valuations must be based on fairness

House prices may be on the up but that should not mean spiralling rates of Local Property Tax for struggling homeowners, writes Michael McGrath TD

FAMILIES in Ireland face an array of charges for having bought their home. These include the monthly mortgage payment, insurance, maintenance and repairs, and since 2013, a local property tax has also been applied. Uncertainty over future bills is a huge source of concern for families especially with water charges now added to this list.

The local property tax has been a massive money spinner for this Government, taking in €491m in 2014.