|
|
What's a "late payment fee"?
The Act provides that, if a charge is not paid within a month after the last date for payment, a late payment fee will apply for every month or part of month that the €200 charge remains unpaid. For 2009, this means that the late payment fee will apply to all payments made after 31 October 2009 and for 2010 it will apply to all payments after 30th June 2010. The late payment fee amounts to €20 per month or part of a month and will continue to roll up as long as the charge remains unpaid and the amount involved can be substantial.
What happens if I don't pay?
A person who does not pay a charge within the relevant two month period leaves themselves open to prosecution by the Local Authority to whom the payment is due. A late payment fee will also arise if payment is not made within the one month grace period - see above. Furthermore, both the €200 charge and any accumulated late payment fee will be a charge against the property concerned. This is likely to lead to difficulties in selling the residential property as the person buying it would become liable for any charges and fees outstanding in respect of the property concerned. |
