COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, February 11, 2008
QUESTION NO. 12
QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy
To ask the Manager if he can provide a report on the consequences for businesses in the County of the new valuations for the purpose of rates arising from the review implemented by the Valuation Office and if he can confirm that some businesses will be subject to rate demands which are over 25% higher than there previous rates liability and if he can make a statement on the matter?
REPLY:
The purpose of revaluation, which arises from the Valuation Act of 2001, is to bring more equity, fairness and transparency into the local authority rating system. Following revaluation there will be a much closer and uniform relationship between the current rental values of property and their commercial rates liability. The revaluation is a nationwide project which has been piloted in the County of South Dublin.
The Revaluation Unit, of the Valuation Office of Ireland, began the process in November 2005 in the local authority area of South Dublin County Council. This process will now continue in the administrative area of Fingal County Council. Final valuation certificates were issued, by the Valuation Office, to rate payers in the administrative area of South Dublin County Council in December 2007. The rate payer has a right of appeal against the valuation so affixed. Appeals must be returned to the Valuation Office of Ireland by 08/02/2008.
The new valuations, resultant from the revaluation process, become effective from 01/01/08 and ratepayers have been informed of the Annual Rate on Valuation for the South Dublin administrative area for the year 2008.
The existing valuation lists did not reflect the major shifts in property values that had occurred over the years. The revaluation will bring more equity, fairness and transparency into the local authority rating system by bringing valuations into line with current property rental values. This will ensure that local authority commercial rates are assessed on the basis of an up-to-date list of valuations of commercial and industrial properties.
A revaluation will result in a redistribution of the commercial rates liability between ratepayers in a rating authority area based on current rental values.
It is true to say that the revaluation has resulted in significant changes to the rates assessment of some of the properties assessed. A substantial increase to the rates payable has been noted in some cases while in others there has been a marked decrease in the rates assessment. It is the case that the rates demanded in 2008 will show an increase of more than 25% in some cases. However, regardless of increases or decreases to the valuation of individual properties, the comparative increase in the total rates income of South Dublin will be no greater than in the years prior to revaluation. The Local Authority does not materially benefit from the revaluation process.
In order to give ratepayers notice of the proposed change, the Valuation’s Office, in May 2007, informed each ratepayer of the revaluation process. On the 5th June 2007 the Valuation Office posted Proposed Valuation Certificates to each ratepayer. This certificate stated the new valuation proposed for the ratepayer’s property under the revaluation process. The ratepayer was also informed that they could make representations to the Valuation Office before the 2nd. July 2007 if they were dissatisfied with the proposed valuation or any details contained in the Proposed Valuation Certificate.
Also, as previously stated, ratepayers have a right to appeal any valuation to the Valuation Office by 08/2/2008. There is a further right of appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. This is an independent body set up to settle disputed valuations between the Commissioner of Valuation and ratepayers.
Any queries with regard to the rateable valuation affixed by revaluation, or the processes by which this valuation was reached, should be addressed to the Valuation Office of Ireland, Irish Life Centre, Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1. Ph: (01)8171000. Further information may be had at http://www.valoff.ie
Arrangements are being made to have the Valuation List as compiled by the Valuation Office available on the Members Net.