Refund of development fees to Laois home builders

Laois homebuilders can claim back the €2,000 they were charged to build their house this year, if work began in April.

Developers of housing estates are also able to claim back the money, in a temporary measure that has been welcomed by Laois county councillors.

House builders had already had a half price discount reducing the fee for building an urban house from €4,000 to €2,000.

However until April 24, 2024, builders will have to pay no fee at all.

Cllr Willie Aird said the council should write to people affected so they can reclaim the cash.

"It behoves us to write to people. People who stalled developments over the fee should be written to. That's a substantial amount of money," he said.

Director of Services for Housing is Angela McEvoy.

She said that the waiver applies from the commencement date of the build, and is only in place for one year.

Cllr Barry Walsh asked for it to be backdated to January 1, and Cllr Thomasina Connell, Cathaoirleach agrees.

"I had one or two people who paid a large amount. It needs to go back to the department that it is backdated, I'd support a letter on that," she said.

The Government announced the development levy waiver scheme for one off houses and residential developments as a way of boosting housing commencements in the face of rising costs. 

For a period of twelve months builders of new residence(s) will not be required to pay a development levy. Instead, the County or City Council in question will invoice the amount of the levy to the Dept. of the Local Government which will refund the Council ensuring that the local authority will not lose the income amount from levies.

The commencement of on-site work must have begun not earlier than 25 April 2023 and not later than 24 April 2024. 

However the Government will also pay the fee for works that had a commencement notice submitted after March 28, or a "7 day notice" submitted after April 4.

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The completion must take place not later than 31 December 2025, or the builder will have to pay the levy.

There is no minimum or maximum number of residential units specified for a builder to qualify for a waiver.

In parallel with the Development Levy waiver scheme, there will be a rebate scheme in relation to Uisce Eireann connection fees. In this case, the builder will pay Uisce Eireann who will refund the money to the builder providing the conditions of the scheme are fulfilled.