There is growing concern and confusion this week among Limerick ratepayers following the recent issuing of Valuation Certificates.
A new system of Rateable Valuations for the three merged Councils of Limerick, Waterford and Tipperary will be introduced from January 2015. It will be markedly different from that applied over the last 100 plus years.
Occupiers of commercial premises have received Valuation Certificates over the last few days showing the proposed values of their premises. These are based on the rental income staff of the Valuation Office, located in Dublin, believe the premises would command if let on the open market.
Rate payers have until July 7th to make representations to the Valuation Office if unhappy with their pro-posed values.
Newly elected Municipal District Newcastle West Cathaoirleach, Cllr Jerome Scanlan commenting stated that correspondence issued is far from clear in that an attached explanatory letter fails to state that a multiplier needs to be applied to the amount of the valuation to calculate the likely rate payable. Following representations on behalf of constituent rate payers, it is now agreed that personnel from the Valuation Office will hold clinics at the local council offices in Newcastle West and Kilmallock to facilitate ratepayers who wish to appeal the valuation process.
The clinic in the County Council offices in Newcastle West will run from next Monday June 23rd until Wednesday June 25th and in the Council offices in Kilmallock on Thursday and Friday next June 26th and 27th.
There will also be a presence at County Hall, Dooradoyle from this Thursday until Wednesday next June 25th.
Cllr Scanlan urges anyone who is either unclear about or unhappy with their proposed valuation to meet staff from the Valuation Office while they are in the area as this is likely to be the only opportunity to do so without incurring appeal costs.