PYRITE HOMES STAY EXEMPT FROM HOUSE TAX

HOMEOWNERS whose properties are affected by pyrite will continue to be exempt from Local Property Tax.

As many as 20,000 houses are thought to be affected by the problem, almost all of them in north Dublin, Offaly, Meath and Louth.

In some cases whole houses have had to be demolished when the pyrite – a mineral present in the construction material – expands and causes walls to crack dramatically. Thousands of homeowners face expensive repairs and have found themselves unable to sell their homes.

The measure to exempt pyrite-affected homeowners from the LPT was announced back in May 2013 but figures released just last month showed that of the 2,000 householders who applied for an exemption from the LPT, just 76 were approved.

A major stumbling block, according to Fianna Fáil senator Darragh O’Brien, is the cost of the test to prove a house has pyrite damage and the high threshold of damage required for claims.

He said more clarity needed to be given on the scheme for pyrite-blighted homes.

Senator O’Brien said: ‘I have asked for it because they are saying houses with significant pyrite damage do not qualify, which leads me to worry that it’s only those homes with severe damage that apply and that leaves homes which are still so badly damaged their value is zero.’

Another issue Mr O’Brien identified is the cost of getting a test done to prove the existence of pyrite in a building. He said a simple test could cost as much as €500, more than many people’s LPT payment, and a full pyrite test of a buildings foundations could cost thousands.

‘The remediation scheme that the Government has set up to help owners with pyrite has only done less than 100 houses in three years.’

Mr O’Brien said homeowners should be allowed to self-assess and tell Revenue they have pyrite problems.