Sir, – You note that the problem of “dereliction and decay of historic buildings constitutes a serious problem of neglect, mainly by private landlords” (Editorial, January 3rd). It is a problem which is not restricted to Dublin nor just to historic buildings. Tolerating such a mindset of wilful abandonment is more than just a matter of aesthetics and civic pride, it also takes its toll on the cost of doing business, finding affordable accommodation, lost tax revenues and a missed opportunity to expand the construction industry.
In every town and village there are many private dwellings, offices and shops, and fine publicly owned buildings (unused or underused town halls, civic offices, court houses) standing vacant and idle for years. And without tenants these fall into dilapidation – lowering the volume and standard of the national buildings, monuments and housing stock. The crux of the problem (also as outlined in the editorial) being that responsibility is spread thinly among public bodies without consensus on what needs or can be done.
Within article 43, there is a constitutional imperative to regulate property for the common good, and therefore it would be perfectly appropriate to introduce an application of a progressive penal property tax (ie increasing by 25 per cent for every six months of dereliction or vacancy) on both historic properties and properties which were once used for dwelling or commercial purposes. This would encourage both public and private owners to renovate and renew properties, and then either sell them or put them on the rental market. This again would increase the market volume of usable properties, give employment to the construction industry, put downward pressure on rental prices and reduce the cost to taxpayers of subsidising rents.
If such a charge can be levied on water with the general aim of creating a conservation culture, there is no reason nor excuse as to why something similar could not be set against derelict and vacant property. – Yours, etc,
CIARAN WALSH,
Donard, Co Wicklow.