Louth public urged to have say on rates on empty business premises

Cllr Marianne Butler is urging people in Louth to have their say on commercial rates on empty business premises.

Cllr Butler explained “that since 2014 vacant commercial premises that can demonstrate that they are for sale or available to rent are only liable for half their commercial rates bill”.

The rationale for this is to give the owner time to find a new tenant or new owner. The difficulty with the present system, Cllr Butler explained, is that there is no time limit on how many years that this 50% discount applies for.

The Green Party councillor added, “the present situation is contributing to long term vacancy and in some cases dereliction especially in the likes of Dundalk and Drogheda.

"I would like to see a situation where owners become liable for the full commercial rates bill after say a maximum of two years. This gives commercial premises owners enough time to sell, rent or in some cases convert their premises to residential use”.

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Cllr Butler is urging members of the public and interested parties to have their say on the public consultation in relation to this.

If you wish to make a submission, you can do so in writing, they must be received by Thursday, 31st July 2025 and be sent to Louth County Council, Rates Vacancy Abatement Public Consultation, Finance Section, County Hall, Millennium Centre, Dundalk, Co Louth A91 KFW6 or by email to ratesvacancyabatement@louthcoco.ie
Last year’s public consultation garnered only one submission, from Cllr Butler, and the Dundalk councillor is encouraging the people of County Louth to have their say on this important issue.