New legislation has been put forward which will see that new businesses will no longer be stuck paying rates arrears from old tenants when they take over a new premises for their company.  This Bill was included in the Local Government Reform Bill 2013 which was passed through the Dail on Thursday, 23^rd January 2014. 

This will allow new businesses to take up new premises and existing businesses to change premises without the fear of having a massive rates bill hanging over them after they move in.  This change will have a positive impact on businesses all over the country. Under the old legislation, which dates back to 1838, tenants who left a property with rates due are not liable and instead the new tenant is forced to pay the rates arrears.