Owners set to pay for empty homes

Owners of vacant houses in Northern Ireland will have to pay rates on the properties, Finance Minister Nigel Dodds has said.

Up to now they have been rate free, but Mr Dodds said 100% rating of unoccupied homes was the best way forward.

"This will help keep bills down for the overwhelming majority of honest ratepayers," he said.

He also announced improved data sharing powers to assist take up of rate rebate and rate relief.

The maximum capital value for domestic rating will be reduced to £400,000.

The minister said that "no one in Northern Ireland will pay more than the average for the highest council tax band in England".

"Ratepayers need not be worried that they will be burdened with picking up the tab for those in higher value properties," he added.

"The Regional Rate has been fixed at no increase until 2011/2012."