Councillor seeks backing for Mayo holiday home tax

A Westport councillor is urging colleagues to consider how a holiday home tax might be introduced in Mayo to increase the number of properties available for those in need of housing.

Fine Gael Cllr Peter Flynn has written to his fellow councillors as well as community and special interest members of Mayo Co Council's Strategic Housing Committee (SPC) requesting they consider how the council might levy such a tax on homes that are vacant for more than six months of the year.

“Personally, I believe the idea of a tax on holiday homes is something that should be introduced by Government so that it applies right across the country but in the absence of any movement on this, I believe it is beholden on us to at least start the debate and to see if it is something that could be done in Mayo.” 

Cllr Flynn acknowledged that not all members might support the proposal, but said it was about “finding the right solution that helps build support across our county”. The topic arose at last month's meeting of the Housing SPC where a letter containing legal advice was circulated to members to consider.

This legal advice questioned whether it would be possible to design a scheme for holiday homes that are not used for more than six months of the year and also highlighted the fact that it is difficult to define exactly what a holiday home is. It was also stated that it would be difficult to draft a scheme the council could stand over in terms of identifying the length of time a property is vacant and also highlighted issues around the recovery of tax payments, which could be subject to recourse in the courts. It was also advised such a tax would be politically difficult, given that people are already paying a property tax.

The next housing SPC meeting is scheduled for early May and the topic will once again appear on the agenda for discussion. At the February meeting, Cllr Flynn had suggested that Mayo could be a pilot for a holiday home tax scheme that could then be rolled out across the country. A proposal by Cllr Harry Barrett was also agreed at the meeting, namely to write a letter to the Minister for Housing calling for all short-term rental markets, including Airbnb, to be regulated.