Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify if the payment or non-payment of the household charge will effect the title of a property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33816/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations 2012 provide the legislative basis for the household charge. Under the legislation, an owner of a residential property on the liability date of 1 January 2012 is liable to pay the household charge by 31 March 2012, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The household charge is on a self assessment basis and interpretation of the legislation is a matter for legal advice in individual cases and ultimately a matter for the courts. Where a property is liable and the charge is not paid by the due date, the legislation provides for late payment fees and late payment interest to be applied. Section 8 of the Act provides that any household charge, late payment fee or late payment interest remains a charge on the property and continues to accrue until the liability is discharged.