Confirmation of Further Exemptions for the Household Charge

I have been in constant contact with Fingal County Council, Dublin City Council and the Department of the Environment following the release of the list of unfinished estates exempt from paying the Household Charge. There has been confusion since the list of exemptions was posted online and I think many aspects of the process could have been clearer and handled better.

I was unwilling to give full confirmation to residents until I had clarified the exact areas exempt from the local authorities and the Department.

I received full confirmation last week that Hampton Wood was exempt from paying the charge for this year; however, residents do have to register as exempt from the charge with Dublin City Council. 

Yesterday evening, I received full confirmation that Creston, Hampton Wood and the apartments above Charlestown Shopping Centre are also exempt. Again, residents still have to register as exempt with Fingal County Council.

Please see the maps below from Fingal Co Co confirming exempt estates:

Other Exemptions include:

 - Tenants in Council houses and housing association homes

 - Residents in shared ownership schemes with local authorities

 - Residents receiving supplementary welfare allowance rent supplement

 - Those receiving mortgage interest supplement

You can get more information on any exemptions or other questions through the enquiry line at 1890-357357 or by e-mail at support@householdcharge.ie . 

The list of exempted unfinished estates will be updated at the start of each year so all estates will be assessed again next year to see if it meets the Department’s classification of an unfinished estate. I will keep you informed of any developments in this regard. 

If any residents in the area need further information or clarification on these points, please contact me directly on 01 618 3280 or john.lyons@oir.ie

Household Charge Exemptions

I have talked about the household charge here before and detailed a list of exemptions to the charge.

Exemptions currently include:

Residents who are receiving mortgage interest supplement, living in social housing (e.g. renting from Dublin City Council or Fingal County Council) and those living in certain unfinished housing estates - nor will commercial property and premises owned by a charity have to pay this charge.

The list of unfinished housing estates exempt from the household charge in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11 has now been made available online.

In the Fingal County Council area Creston Park, Mayeston Hall, Heathfield Cappagh & Charlestown, St Margarest’s Road are now listed as exempt from paying the charge.


In the Dublin City Council area,, Hampton wood (03/4387) is listed. 03/4387 was the planning reference for the extension of the duration of the planning permission for the estate. Milners Square (Plan Ref 04/6058) on Shanowen Road, Santry has also been listed as exempt from the charge.


I wrote to DCC & Fingal County Council last week to clarify which areas of Hampton Wood and Charlestown are exempt in particular and I will keep residents informed of this information. 

As I have said, the household charge is an interim payment that will be replaced by a more progressive property tax in the near future. 

For further details (and the full list of exempt unfinished housing estates) you can visit www.householdcharge.ie, read my previous blogpost with FAQs or contact me directly at john.lyons@oir.ie or on 618 3280.