Household Charge How Much Are Interest & Penalties?

What if I don’t pay?
Those who do not pay the charge will be liable to interest and penalties as per the table below:

Delay in payment Late payment fee
Up to 6 months after due date 10% of the amount outstanding
Between 6 and 12 months after due date 20% of the amount outstanding
Over 12 months after due date 30% of the amount outstanding

In addition, late payment interest of 1% per month or part thereof will apply to unpaid amounts.

Furthermore, both the €100 charge and any accumulated late payment fee will be a charge against the property concerned and will continue to be such for twelve years after the charge or late payment penalties concerned became due. Any household charges or late payment penalties due on a residential property will have to be discharged, in full, before a transfer or sale of the property can be completed.


When do I become liable to pay the household charge?

As set out in the Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011, liability to pay the charge is determined on the basis of ownership of the property in question on a single day each year. This date, which is called the “liability date”, is the 1st of January. The charge must be paid within three months (31st March) of the liability date in order to avoid late payment penalties.